Gov. Gregoire�s statement on sale of Empire Health

For Immediate Release: October 1, 2008

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today released the following statement regarding the completed sale of Empire Health:

�I offer my congratulations to Spokane-area leadership, health advocates and the community for coming together in a constructive manner to successfully complete the sale of Empire Health. I am glad the state was able to be a partner in this effort, and in particular want to express my appreciation for the diligent and efficient work of the Washington state Department of Health. This work made a significant difference in ensuring the sale was done in a manner respectful of all of the interests involved.

�Through this accomplishment we were able to protect more than 2,000 family-wage jobs in the Spokane-area. We also secured improvements to the quality and availability of health care for local families both through the increased investments to be made at Deaconess and Valley Hospitals, and through the creation of an $80 million charitable foundation � now the largest in the region.

�I would also like to welcome Community Health Systems (CHS) to Washington. We have a long tradition in this state of community-minded organizations, particularly among our health care providers, and I look forward to having CHS as part of this tradition.�


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