Evergreen Health officials brief Bothell council on expanded pediatric care, finances and community programs

Evergreen Health executives gave Bothell city leaders a 10-minute update on July 8 about expanded pediatric services, community programs and the financial pressures facing hospitals across Washington.

The presentation highlighted a new joint venture with Seattle Children’s to expand pediatric specialties and neonatal services, described Evergreen as a public hospital governed by elected commissioners and flagged continued revenue pressures tied to wage inflation and proposed federal Medicaid changes.

Evergreen’s chief operating and strategy officer, Chris Bredesen, told the council the July 1 joint venture with Seattle Children’s will bring more pediatric specialists “so kids from the East Side stay on the East Side and not have to go to Seattle unless they really need that higher level of care.” He said implementation would roll…