Funding a Healthy Future
Scheduled Presentations
Anacortes Rotary Club
February 26, 2025 @ 12 p.m.
Soroptimist
March 4, 2025 @ 12 p.m.
SABA
March 10, 2025 @ 7 p.m.
State of the Hospital Address
Hosted by the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce
March 13, 2025 @ 11:30 a.m.
Fidalgo Democrats
March 13, 2025 @ 7 p.m.
Fidalgo Rotary Club
March 18, 2025 @ 7 a.m.
Team Kelli Lang RE/MAX *
March 18, 2025 @ 9:15 a.m.
American Legion
March 18, 2025 @ 6 p.m.
Skyline Men’s Walking Group
March 21, 2025 @ 9:00 a.m.
Kiwanis Noon Club
March 27, 2025 @ 12 p.m.
Windermere
March 27, 2025 @ 2 p.m.
Veterans of Foreign Wars
April 1, 2025 @ 6 p.m.
Anacortes Senior Center
April 3, 2025 @ 12:30 p.m.
Anacortes Public Library *
April 4, 2025 @ 12:30 p.m.
Newcomers Club
April 7, 2025 @ 11 a.m.
Anacortes City Council *
April 7, 2025 @ 6 p.m.
P.E.O. Chapter JJ
April 10, 2025 @ 5:30 p.m.
P.E.O. Chapter W
April 15, 2025 @ 12:30 p.m.
* Open to the Public
Strong Local Healthcare Starts with Local Support
The Island Health Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to ask Public Hospital District No. 2 (Island Health) residents to approve a 41-cent increase in its annual Maintenance & Operations (M&O) property tax levy on the April 2025 ballot. If approved, Island Health’s property tax levy rate would increase from 34¢ to 75¢ per $1,000 of assessed property value. The proposition needs the support of a simple majority of votes to pass.
Skagit County Public Hospital District No. 2
What care will my levy dollars fund?
24/7/365 Life-saving,
Award-winning Care
Increasing your access to exceptional emergency and critical care, now and in the future.
- Acute Care
- Emergency Care
- Intensive Care
Neighborhood Access to Specialized Care
Expanding your access to local specialized care through the addition of new providers and service lines.
- Cardiology
- Mental Health
- Obstetrics
- Orthopedics
- Pulmonology
- Senior Care
- Urology
Modern & Secure Technologies
Ensuring your access to advanced medical practices and early disease detection through investment in modern and innovative technologies and systems.
- Advanced Diagnostics
- Integrated Electronic Medical Records
- Lab Automation
Strong Local Workforce
Providing access to over 740 diverse healthcare career opportunities within your community.
- Career Pathways
- Educational Support
Why is a levy necessary?

Confronting Rising Healthcare Costs
In 2024, it costs over $330K per day ($122M per year) to operate Island Health. That’s a 21% increase over our pre-pandemic expenses in 2020.

Compensating for Gaps in Coverage
On any given day, more than 78% of the patients we serve are covered by government insurance plans—Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare—which means we often face financial constraints due to the fixed reimbursement rates from these payers. On average, Medicare only covers 82% of the cost of care, leaving Island Health to find supplemental funding to cover the remaining 18% of our costs to deliver 5-star care. Medicaid and Tricare typically reimburse at an even lower rate. Despite these challenges, our team is committed to serving our vibrant community, and we remain hopeful and proactive about the future of healthcare in our hospital district!
The Impact of Your Vote
From the Staff Perspective
Amy Harrington, PT
Adam Beardsley
Kathleen Garde, MD
Our Roadmap for a Sustainable Future
When faced with obstacles, our team is determined to find solutions. Here are some of the steps we are taking to ensure that quality care remains close to home for years to come:

Advocacy at All Levels
We’re actively collaborating with the Washington State Hospital Association and other hospital leaders to advocate for necessary funding and support. With the backing of our State and Federal legislators, we’re moving forward with projects like our new helipad and a surgical robot, set to enhance our services in 2025.

Streamlining Operations
Our dedicated team is focused on finding efficiencies and reducing expenses. By renegotiating with commercial insurance providers and improving our processes, we are ensuring that every dollar we earn goes directly into delivering the 5-star healthcare you deserve.

Expanding Access to Care
We are responding to your needs and enhancing our services, including additional pulmonology, urology, general surgery and primary care providers. Our strategic planning process includes several service lines that we will be exploring over the coming months, including orthopedics. These additional services not only improve health outcomes for our patients but also supports the sustainability of our organization.

Local Support
We are leveraging local support, including philanthropy from the Island Health Foundation and revenue from our property tax levy to ensure a sustainable and healthy future for our community.
Through generous donations, the Island Health Foundation helps fund critical initiatives that enhance patient care, upgrade facilities and support innovative medical technologies.
Additionally, approximately 3% of Island Health’s revenue is from taxpayer dollars, ensuring local, critical hospital services remain in the community.