The boards of commissioners of Mount Vernon, Wash.-based Skagit Regional Health and Arlington, Wash.-based Cascade Valley Hospital and Clinics have approved a definitive affiliation agreement.
Here are six things to know about the affiliation.
1. It will ultimately lead to Skagit Regional Health leasing and operating Cascade Valley Hospital and Clinics. Both organizations are public hospitals and have clinical affiliations with Seattle-based UW Medicine.
2. The proposal also calls for both entities to work with UW Medicine to provide more medical services in both the Arlington and Mount Vernon areas, according to The Herald.
3. Representatives from both institutions said the agreement is ultimately designed to do the following:
- Enhance clinical services
- Promote organizational long-term stability, including physician recruitment and retention
- Prepare for healthcare reform, including a best-in-class information technology platform
4. Of the agreement, Clark Jones, CEO of Cascade Valley Hospital and Clinics, said, "We look forward to this new venture enhancing access to care in north Snohomish County and increasing the breadth of healthcare services for patients available in the region."
5. The proposal must still be reviewed by the Washington Department of Health, a process that could take six to 12 months.
6. For the full text of the resolution, click here. For complete text of the lease agreement, click here.
More articles on healthcare transactions and partnerships:
Kalispell Regional, North Valley to affiliate: 6 things to know
Onslow calls off merger talks with Vidant, CarolinaEast: 5 things to know
Cleveland Clinic takes over Akron General Health System