Health Care

Why WA’s certification process for home care aides is getting bogged down

jgoldsteinstreet@washingtonstatestandard.com — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:00:00 -0400

It’s been 15 years since Washington voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot initiative setting new standards for training and certifying home care aides. But while the changes included in Initiative 1163 have improved safety for people receiving care, the certification process for aides has been rife with bottlenecks, according to a new state audit. Most prospective aides don’t even finish the process.

Study: Tens of millions of unhappy workers stay in jobs because of health insurance

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Nearly one in four U.S. workers – about 23 million adults – are staying put in jobs they want to leave because of the fear of losing healthcare coverage, according to a recent study.

Effort to end AI-driven Medicare program fails

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A Medicare pilot program that uses artificial intelligence to make coverage decisions will continue to be used in Washington state for the time being.

Nation’s first state-run long-term care insurance program about to launch in WA

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

It’s a landmark moment for the endeavor known as WA Cares, envisioned as a means to help Washington’s workforce afford long-term care and services as they age.

TCCH nurses ratify new contract

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Nurses at Tri-Cities Community Health will get wage increases as well additional pay for those moved to new worksites on short notice under a new contract.

CEO guilty of embezzling $30M to fund ill-advised investment scheme

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The former CEO of a Wenatchee-based company that manages payments for health clinics across the state, including two serving the Mid-Columbia, has pleaded guilty to embezzling tens of millions of dollars from his firm.

Prosser Memorial moves, expands services at old hospital facility

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Prosser Memorial Health is making full use of its former hospital in the heart of Prosser after opening a new hospital in a new location more than a year ago.

Recovery center opens to patients

ty@tcjournal.biz — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

An inpatient behavioral health and substance use treatment center years in the making has officially opened its doors in Kennewick.

Washington named top state for nursing education

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

As states across the country struggle to address a shortage of healthcare providers, Washington has emerged as one of the best states for nursing students.

Lifepoint names new president, chief operating officer

ty@tcjournal.biz — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The private equity-controlled healthcare provider that operates two of the Tri-Cities’ three hospitals and dozens more around the country has named a new top leader.

Kadlec reaches settlement with nurses union over unfair labor practice investigation

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Kadlec Regional Medical Center will avoid a trial after agreeing to settle with the union representing its nurses over alleged retaliation.

Health district split off the table for now

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Franklin County officials say the county is not planning to leave the Benton-Franklin Health District, easing concerns that a breakup of the joint public health agency could disrupt services and create new regulatory requirements for businesses across the Tri-Cities region. While county leaders acknowledge future growth may eventually require more localized health services, they say no formal discussions or plans are underway to separate from the district.

Anonymous donor launches $1 million match challenge for youth mental health

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

An anonymous donor has given a local nonprofit $500,000 toward its expansion into a new Kennewick facility – and committed to matching community donations dollar for dollar up to $1 million

Environmental health is a hidden driver of economic growth

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

In Benton and Franklin counties, a growing effort is underway to better understand how environmental factors influence both community health and the long-term vitality of the local economy.

States face tight timeline as feds unveil new Medicaid work requirement rules

avollers@stateline.org — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The federal government recently released new guidance on how states should roll out the Medicaid work requirements that will affect healthcare coverage for millions of Americans.

Ferguson issues executive order supporting workplace accommodations for menopause

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Working women may soon have an easier time navigating a major life change in the workplace.

The feds have embraced medical marijuana. Now what?

awatford@stateline.org — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The U.S. Department of Justice’s recent decision to downgrade the drug classification for medical cannabis will help medical marijuana businesses. But the broader divide between federal and state marijuana policy remains largely intact, leaving states to navigate a fragmented and still-evolving cannabis landscape with few clear answers about what comes next.

Where Affordable Care Act insurance coverage has dropped most in WA

jgoldsteinstreet@washingtonstatestandard.com — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Washington’s rural counties, including Franklin County, saw the largest drops in insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act after the Republican-controlled Congress failed to extend subsidies that helped consumers afford the plans.

Good Shepherd completes clinic space renovation

Sun, 31 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A small Oregon hospital that has increasingly drawn patients from the Tri-Cities has expanded one of its facilities to accommodate growing demand for its specialty services.

Date set for opening of Kadlec’s new West Richland clinic

Thu, 28 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Kadlec’s latest primary care clinic, called Candy Mountain Primary Care, is set to open in West Richland.

Individual health insurance rates could rise 22.4% in 2027

Wed, 27 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Time to start preparing to budget more for your health insurance premiums next year if you don’t receive coverage through your employer.

Murray, Cantwell join effort to overturn Medicare AI pilot

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 21 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Washington’s U.S. Senate delegation has joined an effort by U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon to halt a pilot program using AI to make care coverage decisions for Medicare patients.

Hospital district awards $20K to support aspiring social workers

Tue, 19 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Prospective students interested in one of the newest bachelor’s degree programs at Washington State University Tri-Cities just got a financial boost from the Kennewick Public Hospital District.

WA sues Providence, alleging it failed to accommodate pregnant, nursing workers

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 14 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The Washington state Attorney General’s Office is suing the owner and operator of Kadlec Regional Medical Center for allegedly repeatedly failing to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant and nursing employees working throughout its hospitals.

Healthcare costs top of mind for voters as midterms approach, survey finds

jshutt@statesnewsroom.com — Thu, 07 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Voters, including those within the Make America Healthy Again movement, say the rising cost of healthcare is a significant concern that will have an impact on whom they support in November’s midterm elections, according to a recent poll.

WA’s public option grows as overall healthcare enrollment shrinks

Wed, 06 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Washington state’s public option for healthcare is growing, even as fewer people are signing up for health insurance overall, according to new data from the Washington Health Benefit Exchange.

Tri-Cities VA clinic site selected

ty@tcjournal.biz — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 23:00:00 -0400

The federal government has selected the site for a long-planned VA outpatient clinic and filed plans for a 124,000- to 130,000-square-foot facility that would be staffed by nearly 50 doctors and dentists and employ as many as 250 people.

US Justice Department downgrades risk of state-licensed medicinal marijuana

jfischler@statesnewsroom.com — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Cantwell: Medicare AI initiative hurting seniors

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A report from a member of Washington state’s congressional delegation is blasting the Trump administration for an AI pilot program that significantly increased wait times for seniors to receive health care and has prioritized care denials over a patient’s doctor’s recommendation.

Prosser Memorial Health names new CEO

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The financial leader who joined Prosser Memorial Health’s executive leadership team less than a year ago is now the health care provider’s top official.