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| EvergreenHealth Public Hospital District No. 2 in Kirkland - Our Community-Owned Hospital - |
I have been following EvergreenHealth for years on behavioral health issues -- speaking at many of the Commissioner/CEO meetings urging outpatient treatment services. Years ago, my wife walked the NAMI parade with three Redmond councilmembers to advertise Evergreen's community support for an out-patient mental health clinic.
EvergreenHealth treats at least one behavioral health patient per day in their Emergency Department. They remodeled the department with 2 rooms equiped with sound supressing materials dedicated to behavioral health patients.
You may not have heard about CONNECTIONS in Kirkland. They're a crisis center for behavioral health treatment. They have 32 beds, 18 observation chairs, psychiatrists, and case managers. EvergreenHealth is partnering with CONNECTIONS to treat patients in crisis and those seeking out-patient care.
Finally, EvergreenHealth is proposing a Levy Lid Lift in the August 5th, 2025 election. Some proceeds will fund outpatient telehealth and in-person mental health treatment in their twelve integrated primary care practices. They hired a Behavioral Health Director to run the program. ("Treatment" is: medicine-management, with some therapy.)
Unlike Overlake Medical Center, EvergreenHealth is a Community-Owned Hospital, backed by our community. I hope this update will help you in your levy vote!
