Editor,

Hospital management is doing all it can as small systems close around the country. I know from experience the hospital needs at least 100 days of cash on hand to avoid panic calls for help.

CEO Ron Telles is doing all he can in a state with the highest critical access payments in the country. Time for the commissioners to develop and implement phased increases in tax revenues to build to 100-120 days of cash, preferably designated separately for the hospital, and then employed physicians.

It is the right thing to do. We can’t rely on donations to fill this need.

I’ve noted in the past my work at Whidbey, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, Overlake Hospital and other large systems over 40 years.

Frank Hemeon,

Langley