Public invited to comment on joint venture for Snohomish County Public Hospital District No. 1

Monroe, WA – Snohomish County Public Hospital District No. 1 has scheduled two meetings for the public to comment or ask questions about a joint venture between the district, which owns and operates Valley General Hospital, and Capella Healthcare. These meetings will occur over the official 30-day notice period required for the partnership to move forward.

On January 23, 2012, a report that provides an independent assessment of how the partnership will continue to provide accessible and affordable health care will be available for review. A copy of the report may be obtained by contacting Collette Reams, Director of Community Relations, at (360) 805-6316 or collette@valleygeneral.org.

The Board of Commissioners for the hospital district will discuss the report and take public comment at their regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, January 25, 2012, at 6:00 pm in the Godard Room at Valley General Hospital, 14701–179th Avenue SE in Monroe.

Final action on the joint venture by the Board of Commissioners is expected at a meeting scheduled for Monday, February 27, 2012, at 6:00 pm in the Godard Room. If the joint venture is approved, the effective date of the partnership would be March 1, 2012.

The two organizations have proposed a joint venture that would lease Valley General Hospital from the hospital district. The partnership would provide capital investment for the hospital and opportunities to enhance health care services for residents in east and central Snohomish County for the next 40 years.

Proceeds from the lease would be used, among other things, to retire Valley General’s debt and bond payments and provide medical care for those who are uninsured or underinsured. Other provisions being discussed include capital investments for the hospital, funding for staff development and physician recruitment, as well as charitable contributions for wellness-related causes in the community. The community also could benefit from the additional taxes paid by the new venture from which Valley General is currently exempt.

Valley General announced its interest in partnering to enhance health care services for district residents in early 2011. The joint venture has obtained approval by the Washington State Department of Health and the district’s Board of Commissioners intends to vote on the transaction in late February. Additional information about the partnership can be found on Valley General’s web site at www.valleygeneral.org.

Capella Healthcare partners with communities to build strong local health care systems that are known for high quality patient care and excellent service. Capella owns and/or operates general acute-care hospitals in seven states, including Capital Medical Center in Olympia, Wash., a joint venture hospital co-owned with its physicians, and Willamette Valley Medical Center in McMinnville, Ore. For more information, visit the organization’s website at www.CapellaHealthcare.com

Valley General is an accredited, full-service district hospital located in Monroe, Washington since 1960. The District includes 100,000 people in central and eastern Snohomish County, and provides primary care for community members through the Sky River Medical Group. Valley General’s mission is to serve the changing health care needs of its community. It provides personalized patient care known for quality and excellence with a healing environment through caring relationships. More details about Valley General can be found at www.valleygeneral.org.

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