 Summary
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced today a proposal that would preserve the county’s public health clinics and further sustain operations and maintenance at the county hospital Harborview Medical Center, HMC. The proposal utilizes a modified county hospital tax authority approved by the state Legislature earlier this year to raise revenue for these vital services in the 2025 budget.
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King County Executive Dow Constantine announced today a proposal to preserve and fund the county’s public health clinics and further maintain operations and maintenance for the county hospital, Harborview Medical Center. The proposal is part of Executive Constantine’s 2025 budget and, if approved by the King County Council, would utilize a modified county hospital property tax authority approved by the state Legislature earlier this year.
The proposal would levy an 8.5 cent tax that would raise $74.6 million for the 2025 budget, eliminating the need for public health clinic services to be covered by the county’s General Fund and increasing funding to maintain operations, maintenance, and capital projects at HMC.
“By modifying long-standing county tax authority, legislators helped save basic care for King County public health clinic patients while supporting the renovation, expansion, and operation of our outstanding county hospital, ensuring those who face barriers to healthcare will have the basic services they need. Protecting the health of every resident is central to our True North: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive,” said Executive Constantine. “While this proposal ensures that primary care, dental care, and prenatal care for our clinic patients will not suddenly end, the long-term erosion of the county general fund – now $450 million behind inflation and population growth – inevitably threatens core services.”
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