During their August 21, 2025, meeting, the board of directors of North Shore Health unanimously voted a $284,625 or 15% increase to the hospital district property tax levy in 2026. The funds raised help to bridge the costs of providing essential medical services that Medicare, Medicaid and other insurances do not adequately cover.

CFO Nicole Siegner presented a detailed financial report to the governing body providing them with a broad overview of the data necessary to make a decision on a levy percent. This included the total amount of revenue needed to operate and maintain the organization and provide necessary, specifically projected capital purchases and debt service. Siegner also provided an estimate of the amount of tax increase each Cook County property owner would pay.  

The levy is an ongoing investment in preserving and enhancing health care access for everyone in our region. North Shore Health relies on the continued support of property owners now more than ever as it prepares for expected cuts to reimbursement and grant monies from Federal and State healthcare programs. 

To that end, we at North Shore Health want to thank all in Cook County for caring about others and helping to ensure that we continue to have vital health care services and emergency care for all of our hospital district residents and visitors.

For more information about NSH, please visit www.northshorehealthgm.org.

About North Shore Health:

North Shore Health is a rural health facility located on the beautiful north shore of Lake Superior in Grand Marais, MN. The organization, which is part of the Cook County Hospital District includes a 16-bed critical access hospital, a 37-bed skilled nursing facility, a home health agency, an ambulance service and a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic services. Their mission is “Community Access to Compassionate Care”.