HomeMy WebLinkAboutJeffersonHealthcare re: federal appropriations0� CON
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February 13, 2023
Mike Glenn, CEO
Jefferson Healthcare
834 Sheridan Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
Dear Mr. Glenn:
Board of County Commissioners
1820 Jefferson Street
PO Box 1220
Port Townsend, WA 98368
Kate Dean, District 1 Heidi Eisenhour, District 2 Greg Brotherton, District 3
Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners fully endorses Jefferson Healthcare's Community Project
Funding request of $2 million for the Expanding Healthcare for Rural Senior project at Jefferson Healthcare.
Jefferson Healthcare is a trusted partner for our region's health care needs and having enhanced and improved
care for our older population in Jefferson County is a critical need. Right now, seniors in Jefferson County rely on
Jefferson Healthcare for a majority of their care. When a healthcare need arises that requires out -of -county travel,
such as referrals to specialists in neurology, pulmonology and geriatrics, many patients find it difficult to travel and
access care. The Jefferson project is a $9.6 million initiative to bring these services to Jefferson County and greatly
enhance medical access for our region's older population.
Jefferson County has the oldest median age of any County in the state of Washington. We rely on Jefferson
Healthcare to provide care in to our most vulnerable populations, including seniors, and we recognize that
providing services in a rural region is especially challenging. Additionally, Jefferson Healthcare is a cornerstone of
our local economy; having them be economically viable is critical to the stability of our community.
This project deserves support from the federal government. Jefferson Healthcare has been a crucial community
resource during the COVID-19 pandemic and operating at peak levels to keep our community safe. This project
represents a sustainable, cost-effective community health investment that will create needed care options for
Jefferson County residents needing pulmonology, neurology, ENT (ear, nose and throat) and geriatrics care. We
are pleased to stand with Jefferson Healthcare in support of this project and urge Congress to include it for
funding.
Sincerely,
Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners
Oteean
District 1
Greg Brotherton, Chair
District 3
Heidi Eisenhour
District 2
Phone (360) 385-9100 Fax (360) 385-9382 jeffbocc@co.jefferson.wa.us