Submitted by: Barb Jensen, Josh Pratt, Kevin Hanson
As a nurse, emergency department physician and firefighter/EMT, we’ve witnessed the health care needs of our communities growing as the region has. We know the Puget Sound area has a critical shortage of available hospital beds and wait times for primary and specialty care appointments can be long. We’ve seen a growing number of healthcare mergers leading to consolidated services and longer travel times for many services.
Proposition 1 will address these challenges and renew support for EvergreenHealth - our independent, community-owned public hospital - to meet the needs of the Eastside on the Eastside.
Vote yes to reduce wait times and expand access. Prop 1 means more physicians and clinical staff and expanded access to primary, emergency, and specialty care including maternity services and behavioral healthcare.
Vote yes to maintain high quality. EvergreenHealth is nationally recognized for its quality of care receiving five stars from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service and ranked a top-50 hospital nationally by Healthgrades. Prop. 1 allows investments to maintain this high quality.
Vote yes to keep quality care close to home and protect local decision-making. Prop 1 ensures EvergreenHealth stays independent, avoiding the need to merge with a larger organization where services and staff will be consolidated and local residents will likely have to travel to Seattle or other urban centers for many services.
When our families need medical help – in an emergency, for regular check-ups or specialized care – we want to access high-quality healthcare close to home. Join physicians, nurses and emergency responders in voting yes on EvergreenHealth’s Prop. 1 to expand access here on the Eastside and protect our independent, locally-controlled community healthcare.
EvergreenHealth CEO Ettore Palazzo (left) with IMAN President Mohamed Khaki
"It was an honor to be invited to the IMAN Center of Kirkland to share an update on the Eastside’s community-owned hospital system. At EvergreenHealth, we view every opportunity to connect with the community we serve as a true gift. A special thank you toMohamed Jawad Khaki—Co-Founder, President, and Director of the IMAN Center—for extending the invitation and facilitating such a meaningful and engaging evening together."
I'm grateful to the Kirkland Alliance of Thirteen Neighborhoods (KAN) for the opportunity to provide an update on King County Public Hospital District #2 / EvergreenHealth, including information about our upcoming levy lid lift on the August 2025 ballot. As a Kirkland resident for over two decades, it’s an honor to live and work in such a special city!
There are many ways hospital systems can impact the health of our communities including minimizing our environmental impact. Congratulations toDavid Reedand the entire Environmental Services Team atEvergreenHealthfor once again earningPractice Greenhealth's Partner for Change Award. Your continued leadership in sustainability helps create a healthier environment for everyone we serve.
-- Ettore Palazzo, CEO EvergreenHealth
One of EvergreenHealth’s core values is to provide high-quality health care while minimizing our environmental impact. The Greenhealth Partner for Change Award recognizes our ongoing dedication to improving our environmental performance and our efforts to integrate sustainability and resiliency into the operations and culture of our organization.
-- David Reed, EvergreenHealth Environmental Services Team
The current levy for EvergreenHealth’s public hospital district is $0.14 per $1,000 of estimated home value, based on 2023 data. This is the first time EvergreenHealth has requested a levy lid lift in its more than 50-year history.
When the levy was first passed in 1970, it was set at $0.75 per $1,000. Over time, as property values increased, the levy rate was reduced in accordance with district regulations. Proposition 1 proposes to increase the levy $0.36, bringing the total, if passed, to 50 cents per $1,000 assessed home value.
If passed, levy funding will help EvergreenHealth expand services and infrastructure, which means more access for more people. Those expanded services will also attract and retain providers and staff, increasing access and expanding key service lines to meet the community’s need, including:
Expanded access to primary, urgent and specialty care, advanced diagnostics, and outpatient behavioral health
Funding to recruit and retain additional providers to improve appointment availability and to increase capacity to meet current and future demand for services on the Eastside
Upgrading facilities in preparation for projected population growth
EvergreenHealth will continue to use levy funding to help support free and low-cost community education classes, programs, and events on a wide variety of everyday and specialized health and wellness topics, developed by experts and available to everyone in our community.
EvergreenHealth, Kirkland Your Community - Owned Hospital
EvergreenHealth will continue to use levy funding to help support free and low-cost community education classes, programs, and events on a wide variety of everyday and specialized health and wellness topics, developed by experts and available to everyone in our community.
LEVY FUNDED PROGRAMS:
The Community Healthcare Access Team(CHAT) is probably EvergreenHealth's flagship levy-funded community service:
If you have a loved one looking for quality long-term care CHAT will help you. Trust me, this is a great service. We were "left on our own" when my mother in California desperately needed a decent long-term home.
CHAT also offers financial assistance, insurance coverage "navigators", and assistance for low-income and underinsured.
CHAT partners with Hopelink for psycho-social asistance and transporting patients.
The EvergreenHealth levy invests in our youth and seniors:
They provide four social workers at LWSD for help during a mental health crisis.
The North Shore School District hires levy-funded mental health therapists to provide access to mental health providers. They held 2,961 visits in 2024.
Levy provide access to "Palliative" support for you and family members facing serious illness; and Hospice care.
There's off-site access to geriatric care for seniors with dementia and behavioral health problems.
EvergreenHealth offered access to 114 community-funded educational health classes in 2024, including the "Youth Suicide Emergency Kit."
If the levy lid lift passes, outpatient behavioral services will be accessed in primary care clinics and psychiatric services accessed in EvergreenHealth's two Emergency Departments.
Five years ago on February 28, 2020, EvergreenHealth's Kirkland campus became the first hospital in the U.S. to respond to the first known cases of community spread of COVID-19.
"Since then, we've continued to expand and improve access to care, implementing what we learned as an organization and as an industry during the COVID-19 pandemic—which will undoubtedly benefit us in meeting the needs of our growing community," said EvergreenHealth CEO Ettore Palazzo, MD, who was the hospital system's chief medical and quality officer at the outset of the pandemic.
EvergreenHealth's experience as one of the first hospitals to navigate the pandemic was featured extensively by media, including coverage in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, 60 Minutes, PBS Frontline, CNN, NPR and dozens of other publications and outlets.
EvergreenHealth Seeks First-Ever Levy Lid Lift to Expand Access to Care and Plan for Future Needs
Kirkland, Wash. – This August, voters in King County Public Hospital District #2 will be asked to consider Proposition 1, EvergreenHealth’s first-ever Levy Lid Lift request since the hospital opened in 1972. If approved, the measure would support enhanced access to care, expand services and help the public hospital district prepare for the future health care needs of its growing Eastside community.
Currently, district residents pay $0.14 per $1,000 of assessed home value toward the EvergreenHealth levy. If approved, the Levy Lid Lift would add $0.36, bringing the total to $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. That translates into ~ $500 on a $1,000,000 home.
“As the Eastside grows, so do the health care needs of our community,” said Ettore Palazzo, MD, Chief Executive Officer. “Proposition 1 would allow EvergreenHealth to invest in primary, urgent and specialty care, advanced diagnostics and outpatient behavioral health—ensuring more people have timely access to the care they need, closer to home.”
Why now?
EvergreenHealth has never asked to increase its levy funding—until now. When EvergreenHealth opened in 1972, it had 76 beds and served 22,000 residents. Today, it serves a population of more than 330,000 and has grown into a comprehensive health system offering nearly 400 beds, two Emergency Departments, eight Urgent Cares, 12 Primary Care practices, over 40 Specialty Care practices, Home Health and Hospice services, and a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
What Would the Levy Lid Lift Fund?
If approved, Proposition 1 would:
Expand access to care by increasing capacity for primary, urgent, specialty, and outpatient behavioral health services
Recruit and retain providers to improve appointment availability
Invest in advanced diagnostic technology and infrastructure to meet current and future demand
Support programs for seniors and youth, including wellness classes and behavioral health
“These investments are about ensuring that our hospital district can continue to meet the needs of our growing community—not just today, but well into the future,” said Chris Bredeson, Chief Operating and Strategy Officer.
Learn More
To learn more about the proposed levy lid lift, explore frequently asked questions, and access educational resources, visit: www.evergreenhealth.com.
Election Day is August 5. Register to vote by July 27.
About EvergreenHealth
EvergreenHealth is a community-owned hospital system serving more than one million residents in King and Snohomish counties. Since 1972, EvergreenHealth has evolved beyond the hospital into a network of primary care practices, urgent care centers, specialty clinics, extensive home care and hospice services and 24/7 emergency care in Kirkland, Monroe and Redmond. As a public hospital district, EvergreenHealth actively provides equal access to high-quality, high-value care, partnering with local organizations to perform outreach and offer health education to address our community’s needs. The hospital system is recognized as one of Healthgrades America’s 50 Best™ Hospitals in clinical excellence and holds a 5-Star Overall Rating from the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS). Learn more at www.evergreenhealth.com.
"Brianne Burnett, LICSW, MHP, CMHS, is EvergreenHealth's new Director of Behavioral Health! Brianne has been an impactful member of the EvergreenHealth team for years, most recently serving as the Ambulatory Behavioral Health Manager.
In her new role, she will oversee the strategic and operational direction of EvergreenHealth’s Behavioral Health program. Under the direction of Brianne, we look forward to expanding Behavioral Health services to our community."
By Jeff Friedman, FACHE, Vice President Operations
"This year's Earth Day theme at EvergreenHealth isOur Power, Our Planet. We're encouraged to take action, protect and preserve our planet. Here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, our own efforts – in concert with others around the world – will help protect our shared island home.
One of the purposes of Earth Day is to celebrate our natural environment, so let me share some of my personal story.
Kirkland is becoming the focal point for mental health care on the Eastside. EvergreenHealth announced in their Fall "Monitor" newsletter they have expanded Behavioral Health into their new Canyon Park Urgent Care.
One of their patients said:
Thank you for listening to me and helping me to get connected to a psychiatrist. I feel like I have finally found what works for me, and it has changed my life.
According to EvergreenHealth, "the initiative at Canyon Park is just a first step." They look forward to expanding behavioral health services to the broader community. "Behavioral health is an essential line of service that levy funds are helping to expand into the community."
The Emergency Departments of EvergreenHealth have treated mentally vulnerable ill patients over the years...many severe. Their ER physicians are backed up by highly-trained social workers and a remodeled department. Treating these complex patients has been a challenge for community-owned EvergreenHealth. Now...some terrific news for our community and outlying cities.
CONNECTIONS
As of August, 2024 Kirkland has an amazing new 26-bed mental health "crisis care" service CONNECTIONS to take the burden off Evergreen and expand out-patient behavioral health care. The Center is Located in Totem Lake behind the Olive Garden in a business complex. 11410 NE 122 Way. 425-650-4005.
Highlights include:
A walk-in urgent care facility available 24/7 to serve anyone with a mental health and/or substance use related need.Most folks will be good after being seen in the urgent care clinic and not have additional care needs.
For people who come to a crisis care center and need a higher level of behavioral health care, there is a 23-hour observation unit. This full spectrum psychiatric setting includes comfortable recliners, nature photography that brings the outdoors in, and natural light.
For those who need more than 23 hours, the center has a 14-day crisis stabilization unit with 32 beds in rooms with windows letting in natural light. This is a setting able to meet high needs and includes calming rooms and a common space.
The center also has a meeting space to follow-up with people after they visit a crisis care center and connect them to helpful wellness or social services.
Share the good news with your friends and family! The doors are always open to all, with or without insurance.
At EvergreenHealth, we provide clinically sophisticated diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for heart disease and heart attack – and we're recognized by Healthgrades as a national leader in heart care. I'm proud to work for an organization that provides this level of care. And, in fact, I'm here and healthy today as a result of it.
I was 42 and fit in 2016 when I had a heart attack at a Totem Lake gym. For several years, I'd been leading an informal workout group with other EvergreenHealth staff members and physicians. While finishing a set of 15 reps of a burpee pull-up combo, I suddenly felt intense pain in my right chest. I thought maybe I'd torn my pectoral muscle or was experiencing gastroesophageal reflux. I wasn't thinking about my heart.
I approached Dr. Jeff Tomlin and described my symptoms. When I mentioned a squeezing sensation, Dr. Tomlin quickly took me to his truck and drove me to our Kirkland Emergency Department (ED). An EKG confirmed that I was experiencing a heart attack. Two stents later, I was recovering in the ICU and feeling pretty good when I had a second heart attack.
Since 1989, Americans have observedNational Recovery Monthto increase public awareness of mental health and addiction recovery; draw attention to new evidence-based treatment; celebrate the recovery community; and acknowledge the dedication of service providers and communities that enable recovery.
There is evidence that stigma-related bias among clinicians can contribute to a treatment-averse mindset and to flawed clinical care. However, EvergreenHealth's organizational mission, vision and values inform and support the care we provide. We demonstrate a shared commitment to providing humane, evidence-based, patient-centered care.
In my role as COO of Post Acute Care with system responsibilities for Behavioral Health, I have had the honor of working with the executive team for the Recovery Center at EvergreenHealth Monroe. They have a Medical Detox Unit, a Residential Treatment program, a program for Substance Using Pregnant Persons (SUPP) as well as an After Care and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). The dedicated teams work 24/7/365 to make sure that those struggling with addiction recovery in our area have a place to go for help. I am pleased to work at EvergreenHealth, which continues to support patients in recovery. I have spoken with several EvergreenHealth employees in Monroe and Kirkland, and this resource is so important for their friends and family in recovery.
Suzanne Greathouse, a community professional who brings a vast amount of knowledge and experience, has been selected to fill the vacant Position #2 on EvergreenHealth's Board of Commissioners.
Suzanne Greathouse
KIRKLAND, Wash. - The EvergreenHealth Board of Commissioners has selected Suzanne Greathouse to serve in Position #2, representing the Kenmore/Kirkland community and all residents of King County Public Hospital District #2. Greathouse was sworn into the position on Sept. 17 and will serve through Dec. 31, 2025.
Greathouse is a dedicated community professional who brings a vast amount of knowledge and experience to support EvergreenHealth's ongoing mission to advance the health of the community.
"We are excited to have Suzanne join the Board, and we look forward to her contributions in supporting the health and well-being of our community," said Board Chair Virgil Snyder. "Like every other commissioner, Suzanne is dedicated to ensuring our community has access to high-quality, safe, compassionate and cost-effective health care."
As the CEO and Co-Founder of REPSVR, a virtual reality skills training platform, Greathouse's diverse experience spans being a business owner, educator/trainer, executive, and consultant. Throughout her career, she has developed and led multicultural and virtual teams and managed complex business environments. She is an expert at applying industry best practices and emerging research to address specific challenges, fostering success, and enhancing performance, motivation, and job satisfaction.
Greathouse's career also includes nearly 20 years at AT&T, where she led efforts in various areas, including construction and engineering, research and development, emergency preparedness/disaster recovery, network security, network operations and IT product development and support. In 2017, after experiencing a family tragedy, Greathouse shifted her focus to serving the community. She has since held roles on the Kenmore City Council, the Northshore Fire District's Board of Commissioners, the City of Kenmore Planning Commission and the Northshore Senior Center Board of Directors.
Currently, Suzanne serves as a Northshore Utility District Commissioner and actively participates in various community organizations, including the Kenmore Heritage Society, Bothell/Kenmore Chamber of Commerce, Kenmore Business Alliance, and the EvergreenHealth Foundation. She is also the founder and president of the Alex Greathouse Foundation, which provides oral cancer support and funding for treatment, research, and other essential needs.
"I am thrilled at the opportunity to join the EvergreenHealth Board of Commissioners and look forward to working with fellow members on ensuring access to the hospital system's vital services in Kirkland, Kenmore and throughout the Eastside," said Greathouse.
Posted by Bob Yoder, 9/20/2024
Comments: 1) Public Notice for the interviews of the Commission nominees was poor. Navigation on their website to find this public meeting was close to impossible. Thus, my wife and I (and others) didn't attend. BY
2) Evergreen Board has the worst notice system out of any public board and they don't do well with publishing information. They don't even record their meetings and publish minutes a month after the meetings happen. Anonymous comment 9/21/2024
EvergreenHealth - King County Public Hospital District No.2
Our Community-Owned Hospital
This "Silver Tower" and a 2nd Emergency Department were funded by district taxpayers of Redmond, Sammamish, Kirkland, Woodinville, Bothell, Mill Creek, Kenmore, Shoreline, Duval, Carnation, and Snohomish County.
EvergreenHealth serves our community well! They were the Nation's "first responders" during the pandemic onslaught and are deserving of every award earned. Recently, they were awarded "Top 50 Best Hospitals' in America."
Some good news ... EvergreenHealth appears in the planning and budgeting stages of hiring psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and advanced social workers for mental health treatment and therapy in their Emergency Departments and Urgent Care Centers. Time and community support will tell.
Evergreen's seven Hospital Commissioners listen to their constituents and make decisions on Levy and Bond measures. They take comments from the public and community during: Business meetings, 3rd Tuesday, 6:30 pm, "Surgery & Physicians Pavilion," Tan Room 250 and during some Educational sessions, 1st Friday of the month, 7:00 am Tan Room 250. Agendas & Minutes. 425-899-1000
Rebecca Hirt has served as an EvergreenHealth Commissioner for 40 years
KIRKLAND, WA – On July 1, 2024, Rebecca Hirt stepped down from Position #2 on the EvergreenHealth Board of Commissioners. Hirt says she is stepping down to care for her husband of 58 years and spend more time with her family.
Hirt was voted onto the Board by the EvergreenHealth community in 1983 and was sworn in January 1984. Over the last 40 years, she has held multiple leadership roles including Board Chair and Board Secretary. In addition to her leadership roles, Hirt has served on several Board committees, including the Levy Funded and Sponsorship Programs Committee, the Quality and Safety Committee and the Audit, Finance and Compliance Committee.
“I have cherished my time as a member of the EvergreenHealth Board and getting to work with so many groups and individuals, all dedicated to meeting the health needs of our patients and our community,” said Hirt. “I look forward to spending more time with my family knowing that our Board, the executive team, physicians and staff will continue to deliver quality care and enhance patient safety.”
A decades-long resident of Kirkland, Hirt holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology degree from The Ohio State University. Hirt also worked as a Medical Technologist in the clinical laboratory at EvergreenHealth for 10 years before being voted onto the Board.
Individuals interested in this important and exciting role and reside in King County Public Hospital District #2, specifically the subdistrict of Kirkland/Kenmore, should apply.
"Localscape" - King County Assessor Transparency Tool
King County Assessor John Wilson developed the invaluable Localscape "transparency assessor tool" to calculate individual 2024 taxes and levy rates based on your home's appraised value. Current and past taxes, area median household income, area sales, and copious other useful data is resourced.
In 1981, I bought my 1,800 sf home on Education Hill for $92,000. According to the calculator, the 2023 average sales price in my area is $1.2M.
My total property taxes in 2023 were $8961.80 (up $1,630 from 2022.) The calculator showed 2023 King County levy rates and dollar amounts on my property were, as follows:
Local School 29.30% - $2475.48
City 11.04% - $849.3
County 10.9% - $1311.16
Library 3.57% - $282.98
EMS 2.85% - $222.24
Hospital 2.57% - $151.47
Transit 2.12% - $160.53
Port 1.03% - $102.61
Flood .92% - $69.26
STATE Taxes $2467.16 (schools, fire, roads, parks & recreation)
2024 taxes will most likely increase from 2023 owing to voter approved levies and bonds. This year voters passed a 14 cent /$1000 property tax for the King County Mental Health Crisis Centers; and King County's Silver Cloud hotel in for the chronic homeless. LWSD will have a $676.9 million construction levy measure on the November ballot. (EvergreenHealth District No. 2 will propose a levy lid-lift August 2025.)
