I am writing this out of concern and hopefully a call for action regarding the upcoming affiliation between the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle and Valley Medical Center (VMC) in Renton. Although, on the surface this appears to be an incredible opportunity for VMC and a welcome addition to the already growing influence of the UW, there are several details of the potential deal that I believe are quite concerning. The most egregious aspect of the affiliation is the attempt to circumvent our democratic process.

Unlike most hospitals in King County, Valley Medical Center is a public hospital district and collects millions in property tax dollars from residents in south King County. Valley also enjoys the benefits of avoiding taxes and gets government rates on loans and other ventures. These dollars and the operation of the hospital and hospital district are overseen by a five member publicly elected Board of Commissioners. In recent years there has been a public outcry on how VMC’s administration has misused these funds for political purposes resulting in the largest fines levied to the hospital and it’s CEO, in Washington state history.

This has led to the replacement of three incumbent board members in the last two elections. Unfortunately, only two members of the Board have any interest in any sort of reform or accountability so the administration still has a solid 3-2 majority for anything it requests.

This coming November there will be an election for one of the seats the administration now controls. The long entrenched administration does not want to take any more chances at entrusting the public in choosing this new board member. It is their belief, that if there is a public election, the taxpayers of the district might continue in attempting to elect reformers and those interested in true transparency and oversight. If this were to happen it is likely that those administrators would lose their jobs. Therefore their solution is to bypass the election and immediately create a new VMC board of 13 members. VMC administrators would be deeply involved in appointing eight non-elected new board members to be added to the already existing five elected officials. These appointees would have equal voting rights as the elected officials and ultimately not be held accountable to the citizens of the district.

It has been insinuated at town hall meetings and at board meetings by the VMC administrators and lawyers that the public cannot be trusted in electing new commissioners as recent elections have not brought about the commissioners favored by the hospital administration. So what better way to deal with this but to appoint a majority voting-block so that the public stops having any say in their affairs. And of course this new affiliation must occur in a very short period of time before the next election.

There have been several attempts at discussing this in the open but little can be done under the current makeup of the board. The local media has little interest in questioning the actions of VMC officials as much of their advertising revenue is generated by dollars from VMC. Few local politicians have taken an interest.

This is a truly disturbing series of events. I am but one person attempting to perform my elected duties to provide oversight of the tax dollars of the citizens of Public Hospital District No. 1. I am also concerned as a citizen, a business owner and tax payer, physician and commissioner that the democratic process is about to be annihilated. There are more town meetings coming where the citizens will be able to hear the slanted drum-beat of this great affiliation without really hearing the details of why this needs to happen, and happen so quickly. When one has no voice in bringing about change then all one can do is make noise. Without your help, that is all that I am really doing; making noise.

Aaron Heide, MD
Commissioner Public Hospital District No 1.