ARLINGTON — Cascade Valley Hospital has announced it will pursue business arrangements with two other public hospitals in Skagit County, but will remain an independent hospital.
A merger is not being proposed among Cascade Valley, Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon and Island Hospital in Anacortes, according to a statement made by the hospitals Nov. 18.
The decision follows a string of consolidations and other business arrangements being announced by medical organizations in Snohomish County and throughout the nation.
Providence Health &Services, the parent organization to Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, has proposed a partnership with Seattle-based Swedish Health Services.
The proposal is being reviewed by state and federal regulatory agencies.
Clark Jones, chief executive for Cascade Valley Hospital, could not be reached for comment Nov. 18.
But in a statement, he said that having the three medical organizations work together would help strengthen Cascade’s market position in a challenging business environment. On the west side of I-5 in Smokey Point, The Everett Clinic is building a new health facility. Cascade Valley is opening an $8 million, two-story primary and specialty care medical clinic in Smokey Point just east of I-5 this year with Skagit Valley Hospital called Cascade Skagit Health Alliance.
The Mount Vernon-based hospital also provides Cascade’s outpatient chemotherapy services.
Island Hospital has partnered with Skagit Valley Hospital to buy Northwest Urology Clinic in Mount Vernon.
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.
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