PORT TOWNSEND — Matt Ready has been reelected to his position as District 3 commissioner for Jefferson Healthcare hospital.
Ready secured more than 49 percent of the vote. His opponent, Stu Kerber, won more than 41 percent of the vote.
Having served 12 years as commissioner, Ready said he places great importance on transparency in governing healthcare.
“Over my years as a commissioner, I’ve learned that transparency doesn’t happen automatically — it only happens when people insist on it, because there will always be resistance to openness,” he wrote in an email.
Ready said he’s seen the way that closed-door meetings, even when allowed, can breed groupthink.
Ready founded the Association of Washington Public Hospital Commissioners (AWPHC) after realizing that the two main statewide hospital associations, the Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts and the Washington State Hospital Association, operate almost entirely under the control of hospital CEOs.
“As a commissioner, I saw firsthand that these organizations set agendas, choose conference topics, and shape legislative advocacy from the CEO perspective, leaving little room for independent elected commissioners to discuss issues like universal healthcare or public accountability,” he wrote. “The AWPHC is designed to change that.
“Financially, we are stronger than many hospital districts, but looming federal cuts will require difficult adjustments if new solutions aren’t found,” he said.
Jefferson Healthcare continues to battle staffing shortages, but it has built strong and creative programs to attract and retain talent, he said.
Ready said access is the most urgent challenge.
“When federal changes drop thousands of our neighbors from Medicaid, many will delay or avoid care because they can’t afford it,” Ready said. “Jefferson Healthcare will always treat anyone who comes through our doors, but true access means ensuring people aren’t afraid to seek care in the first place. That will remain my top priority.”
Kerber wrote in an email that he ran for the position out of a genuine desire to be of service to the community.
“I am deeply concerned about the future of our hospital — the next many years will be challenging, and alignment in vision and bold strategy is necessary to endure these challenges,” he said.
In the immediate future, the major pressing challenge is to regain board functionality, Kerber said, adding that the board needs to stay focused on strategies for overcoming financial challenges on the horizon, not internal conflict.
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Reporter Elijah Sussman can be reached by email at elijah.sussman @peninsuladailynews.com.
