Hospital districts can be defined as community supported governmental entities that deliver health care to their communities.

The creation of a hospital district is authorized by Ch. 70.44 RCW--often referred to as the hospital district enabling statute.

Hospital districts are special purpose taxing districts, much like a school district or a public utility district.

Hospital districts are different from other health care entities because they are local governments. Of the 90 or so hospitals in the state about 45 are operated by hospital districts. Most of the other hospitals are private nonprofits. Some are private for-profits. Others are operated by the state, a county or a university. Perhaps most important, hospital districts are not required to operate hospital facilities. Some PHDs operate clinics, nursing homes or ambulance services.