The state State should reject and funding for the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) proposed to be established by Seattle Children’s Hospital in Bellevue.

Children’s proposed Bellevue ASC is for all pediatric patients, and is not intended to exclusively serve the 0-14-year childrens’ age group. Further, in their application to the State Department of Health for the facility’s certificate of need, Children’s showed that they intended to fund the ASC entirely with their own resources (reserves, philanthropy and tax-exempt bonds); they did not declare or reveal that they intended or needed any state funding for the facility.

Children’s proposed ASC has been issued a certificate of need to serve exclusively patients from the East King County medical service area; thus, there is no rationale whatsoever to provide state funding for a facility that will serve only a very small area of East King County.

David F. Plummer, Bellevue