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Public Hospital District No. 2

Proposition No. 1
Levy Lid Lift for Healthcare Services

The Commission of King County Public Hospital District No. 2 (EvergreenHealth) adopted Resolution No. 949-25 concerning the district’s regular property tax levy. If approved, this proposition would provide additional operating and capital funds for EvergreenHealth to provide hospital and other healthcare services to its residents and other persons served by EvergreenHealth. It authorizes a maximum regular property levy rate for collection in 2026 of 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. The 2026 levy amount will be used for the purpose of computing the limitations for levies in subsequent years. Should this proposition be:

Approved

Rejected


King County Public Hospital District No. 2 operates EvergreenHealth and provides hospital, outpatient, and other healthcare services to the residents of the public hospital district and other persons served by the district.

Under state law, public hospital districts are authorized to levy regular property taxes at a rate of up to 75 cents per $1,000 of assessed value for purposes of operating and maintaining the hospital and other healthcare facilities and services. Because state law limits the amount that taxes can increase without voter approval, EvergreenHealth’s levy rate has declined over the years to approximately 14 cents in 2025.

EvergreenHealth’s board has determined that it is necessary and in the best interest of the residents served by EvergreenHealth to request approval of a regular property tax levy at the rate of 50 cents per $1000 of assessed value beginning in 2026, which would be an increase of 36 cents from its current rate. The levy will provide additional operating and capital funds to support the delivery of hospital and other health care services including funds to sustain lifesaving, preventive care and other health care services by hiring additional providers and upgrading and expanding facilities to increase access to OB, cancer treatments, emergency services, cardiology, behavioral health, pediatrics, gastroenterology, primary care, and other specialties for the community served by EvergreenHealth.

The 2026 levy amount will be used for the purpose of computing the limitations for the District’s levies in subsequent years.

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 also 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.

Submitted by: Barb Jensen, Josh Pratt, Kevin Hanson, www.yesevergreenhealth.com

No statement submitted.

Statements in favor of and in opposition to a ballot measure are submitted by committees appointed by the jurisdiction. No persons came forward to serve on the committee and to write a statement in opposition. If you would like to be involved with a committee in the future please contact the jurisdiction.

Simple majority (RCW 84.55.050)

For questions about this measure, contact: Candace Scairpon, Board Governance Coordinator, (425) 899-2667, cmscairpon@evergreenhealthcare.org

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