‘Urgent care’ can’t replace hospital

I’d like to address two recent letters. One questioned whether Valley General Hospital is a good steward of their money. Their last levy increase was 23 years ago, for them to have managed to be a viable hospital for this long is a major feat. Has that person had a pay raise in 23 years?

Another writer avowed they would “never use” Valley General Hospital, so why should they pay for it? I pay taxes for things I never use, like schools. I gladly support schools, but have no children in school. I also volunteer with Fire District 26, we transport people who have accidents on U.S. 2 or Stevens Pass. You never know where an accident can happen, a nearby hospital is critical.

I have been transported while on a backboard, it’s very uncomfortable. If Valley General’s wonderful Emergency Department wasn’t there, where my husband and I have always received excellent care, I would have gone to Evergreen. I would refuse transport to Providence because of many previous bad experiences. To expect that the new Providence clinic in Monroe is a substitute for a Level 4 Emergency Department is wrong. In their recent ad, they state “Urgent Care” will be open from 8 to 8, 7 days a week, not the 24/7 Valley is open, nor can the clinic admit patients.

Please consider the importance to all of us of keeping our hospital in Monroe. Vote yes on the levy.

Florence Martin

Gold Bar