Three Rivers Hospital seeks levy to fund ER operations

BREWSTER - On the August 2 Primary Election Ballot, voters will see a request from Three Rivers Hospital (Okanogan Douglas County District Hospital #1) for a renewal of its one-year property tax levy.

The levy dollars, if approved, would be used to fund operations for the emergency department in 2023. The hospital would receive a total estimated amount of $844,000.

This is the third annual request from Three Rivers for this levy, and the amount each time has stayed the same at 33 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. For a home valued at $200,000, the cost would be $66.

“Healthcare costs are perpetually rising, and that has a significant impact on rural hospitals,” said CEO Scott Graham. “Our emergency room is open 24/7, which requires a minimum number of staff round the clock, as well as a physician on call. These funds have been a tremendous help to us, and we appreciate the support of our communities over the past two years.”

Voters overwhelmingly approved the levy in 2020 and 2021, with over 70% combined approval in Okanogan and Douglas counties each time.

Ballots must be postmarked by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2. Ballot drop-boxes are open until 8 p.m. on election day in the following locations in our hospital district:

• Pateros - 180 Pateros Mall in parking lot
• Twisp - City Hall, 110 E. 2nd St.
• Winthrop - The Winthrop Barn, 51 Highway 20
• Bridgeport - City Hall, 1206 Columbia Ave.
• Mansfield - City Hall, 26 Main St.

For any questions, please email Business Development Coordinator Jennifer Best at media@trhospital.net, or call (509) 645-3347.