That facility opened in 2024. And, on Tuesday, it was dedicated in his honor. Chopp died last year<\/a> at age 71. <\/p>\n RELATED: Former longtime Washington House Speaker Frank Chopp dies at 71<\/a><\/p>\n The $244 million hospital has had a bumpy start. Its opening was delayed, and even after launching, it had to halt admissions due to a lack of public defenders available to represent patients held involuntarily during court proceedings. Even after resolving that issue, the hospital had problems filling its beds, leading to layoffs, as reported by The Seattle Times.<\/a><\/p>\n Half of the rooms in the facility, which is located on the UW Medical Center\u2019s Northwest campus in north Seattle, are for long-term care to patients committed civilly under the state\u2019s Involuntary Treatment Act. It also has 25 beds specifically for older adults in need of mental healthcare.<\/p>\n RELATED: Late Washington state powerbroker Frank Chopp left a lasting legacy<\/a><\/p>\n Its purpose is two-fold. For one, it addresses a lack of beds for patients. And the teaching hospital helps train psychiatry residents, with the goal of relieving a mental healthcare provider workforce shortage.<\/p>\n The hospital is now known as the Frank Chopp Center for Behavioral Health and Learning. The University of Washington Board of Regents had approved the renaming last May.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Chopp\u2019s death from cardiac arrest came just months after his retirement from elected office. He had served Seattle\u2019s 43rd Legislative District since 1995, and led his caucus for two decades. Chopp stepped aside as House speaker in 2019.<\/p>\n RELATED: Longtime Washington powerhouse politician Frank Chopp is stepping down<\/a><\/p>\n He\u2019s hailed for a political career focused on helping the state better serve its most vulnerable residents, fueled in part by his sister\u2019s own challenges with a bipolar disorder diagnosis.<\/p>\n \u201cFrank\u2019s drive to improve behavioral healthcare for all citizens of Washington state was really informed by watching Jo-Anne get up every day,\u201d said Chopp\u2019s wife, Nancy Long.<\/p>\n Chopp saw himself as a community organizer, first and foremost, Long said, adding that on their marriage certificate, his job was listed \u201curban guerrilla.\u201d<\/p>\n His fingerprints were all over some of the state\u2019s most vital programs and projects, including Apple Health, the Housing Trust Fund, Fair Start for Kids, and the Workforce Education Investment Act. Lt. Gov. Denny Heck has called him \u201cthe greatest legislator in the last century.\u201d<\/a> <\/p>\n RELATED: Washington’s longest-serving House speaker reflects on three decades in Olympia<\/a><\/p>\n He leaves a legacy, but also what King County Executive Girmay Zahilay called \u201cdisciples\u201d who were touched by Chopp\u2019s work. Chopp\u2019s daughter, Ellie, works in Zahilay\u2019s office.<\/p>\n Gov. Bob Ferguson said that when he drives over a bridge named after someone, he can\u2019t help but look them up. He hopes naming the center after Chopp will have the same effect.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile we all knew and worked with and loved Frank,\u201d Ferguson said, \u201clet\u2019s be honest, many people out there don\u2019t, but when they come through those doors, in whatever form they come through those doors, years from now, I have no doubt that many of them will Google his name. And they\u2019re going to learn about Frank what we all know.\u201d<\/p>\n Many of Chopp\u2019s political allies noted Tuesday the irony of naming a building after Chopp, who really wasn\u2019t interested in getting credit. <\/p>\n \u201cFrank must have had a surgery to remove his ego,\u201d former Gov. Jay Inslee said.<\/p>\n The university has also set up a scholarship fund in Chopp\u2019s name for students interested in learning behavioral health policy. Dr. J\u00fcrgen Un\u00fctzer, chair of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the UW, brought the idea of the Chopp Scholars Program<\/a> to the former speaker just days before his death. <\/p>\n Chopp, a UW grad, loved it, Un\u00fctzer said, but had one gripe: \u201cDoes it have to be called Chopp?\u201d<\/p>\n![\"caption:](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2e09f3bad74503c0005e5039df5a5664.jpg\"\/)
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