Editorial Comment:

During the March 20th Work Study Session, there was discussion and apparent agreement regarding seeking volunteer help from local Economic Boards of Development (Video @ 26:50) . Later CEO Tom Parker told Danna McCall (Living Snoqualmie Blog) that the Board members expressed interest in having one or more community members involved in the process “to help heighten the awareness of potential affiliate partners of the merits of the Snoqualmie Valley.” http://bit.ly/2GmPsJl

Even though it's fine to ask a volunteer to help sell the merits of the Hospital District to potential affiliation partners, what about also involving the Valley community at large to participate along the way as well?

For example, one way to move the process forward is for the Hospital Board to pursue the Verdant model, essentially leasing the Hospital and using those funds to support local health and human service organizations.

This approach offers Snoqualmie Valley the best from both worlds:

(a) world class acute care from a regional healthcare provider, and

(b) new public health funding for Encompass, the Sno-Valley and North Bend senior centers, the, the Snoqualmie Valley Community Network, plus other local initiatives fighting hunger, homelessness, drug addiction and domestic violence.

Check out what the Public Hospital District in Snohomish County (Verdant Model) is doing with their lease money here.

There is no question that SVHD, like most other smaller hospitals, must affiliate or merge with a larger healthcare entity in order to survive. The only question is whether or not the Hospital Board involve the larger community?

I live in West Seattle, and can do only so much. If you live in the Valley and are excited by the potential that the Verdant Model offers, then I'd encourage you to become personally involved.

The next Baord meeting is at 6:30pm on Thursday, April 20th at the Hospital Hope to see you there.

Scott