Toppenish (Wash.) Maternity Workgroup members surpassed the 843 signatures needed from Lower Valley voters to support the creation of a public hospital district after Astria Toopenish Hospital's closure of its maternity ward, Yakima Herald-Republic reported Jan. 29.
In the next 15 days, the auditor's office will be responsible for certifying the 1,132 signatures from registered voters living within the proposed hospital district.
Astria supports the efforts to establish the hospital district, allowing residents to make healthcare decisions based on community needs. During the process, hospital commissioners will be elected to set policy.
The commissioners would have the power to levy $0.75 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation annually to fund the hospital district.