Taxes are already too high. Including interest, the proposed $345 million bond will cost about $440 million over 30 years.

A high cost for little to no benefit. EvergreenHealth should pay its own way for new construction like any other hospital.

Half of the district residents do not use EvergreenHealth. They are either out of network or their doctor uses a different hospital. We already pay a hospital district levy of $18 million per year. Only 4.3 million of the levy goes to “community services” the remainder funds construction and maintenance. We still owe $50 million for 2013 hospital construction bonds. District residents pay the same hospital rates as out-of-district patients. What do we get for our $440 million?

An area hospital was not financially viable in 1968. The area was a lightly populated, mid-to-lower income suburban community. The tax payers stepped up and as a result, there are good people doing good work at EvergreenHealth today. Forming a hospital district was the right decision. Today, our community is one of the richest in the state. EvergreenHealth can and should pay its own way like the other hospitals in the region. Instead of thanking us for our past support the hospital board is requesting the largest bond issue ever.

I made a request to the EvergreenHealth board to write a con statement for the voter pamphlet. I received a letter stating that for financial reasons, the board decided not to participate in the voter pamphlet. Amazingly, they found the money for a 20-page full color “Special Master Facility Plan” mailer timed to arrive just before the election ballots. It is time to send a message to the EvergreenHealth district board. Enough is enough. Vote NO on Proposition 1.

David Maehren

Kenmore