Kilmer Secures $2 Million to Connect Seniors to Health Care in Jefferson County
PORT TOWNSEND, WA – U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced $2 million in new federal funding for Jefferson Healthcare’s Expanding Healthcare for Rural Seniors project. The funding was passed with bipartisan support in the House and is expected to be passed by the Senate and signed into law by President Biden.
Jefferson Healthcare will use the funding to support the construction and opening of a new clinic offering specialty care in neurology; pulmonology; ear, nose, and throat (ENT); and geriatrics to seniors in Jefferson County who face geographic barriers to health care. The project is a sustainable, cost-effective community health investment that will create needed care options for Jefferson County senior citizens and their families.
“Whether you’re a Democrat, Republican, or an Independent, you can acknowledge that making sure that people in rural communities get the care they need makes sense,” said Rep. Kilmer. “This project is a vital step forward in bridging the health care access gap. It’s about ensuring that our aging population receives the comprehensive care they deserve, close to home. We should continue to champion projects like this that directly impact the well-being of folks in rural communities.”
“Providing high-quality health care in rural communities is a critical need in Washington State,” said Mike Glenn, CEO of Jefferson Healthcare. “Jefferson Healthcare is grateful to Representative Kilmer for supporting the Expanding Healthcare for Rural Seniors Project, which will allow East Jefferson County seniors to access vital medical care including neurology, pulmonology, geriatrics, and ENT services. With seniors making up over one-third of our community, and a significant number having to travel over an hour to seek these health care services, Jefferson Healthcare is excited to be able to offer these specialties and support the overall health of our population.”
Following a 2015 evaluation, the Campus Modernization & Expansion Project at Jefferson Healthcare was initiated to address the seismic unsoundness of the 1965 building and the increasing demand for healthcare services. The plan includes the demolition of this outdated structure and the expansion of facilities, introducing upgraded services for medical oncology, dermatology, wound care, express care, and obstetrics & gynecology. New specialty services such as radiation oncology, ear, nose & throat, neurology, pulmonology, and an ambulatory surgery center will be added to provide a wider range of care locally.
The project also focuses on mitigating immediate challenges, such as parking limitations during construction, by advising patients to plan for additional travel time and offering assistance for those who need help reaching their appointments. Also, the expansion is expected to generate 70–75 new jobs over the next five years, contributing to the local economy.
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