Health Care

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.

Work underway on Kennewick behavioral health clinic

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:30:00 -0400

The mental health care provider that bought a never-opened inpatient treatment facility in Kennewick is modifying the building ahead of it supporting mental health services for voluntarily and involuntarily admitted patients.

Largest Retirement Homes

nathan@tcjournal.biz — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 08:30:01 -0400

Pharmaceutical giants sue WA over new drug pricing law

jgoldsteinstreet@washingtonstatestandard.com — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Two of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies sued Washington state, alleging a new law to tamp down prescription drug prices for hospitals won’t result in discounts for patients.

Owner of Trios, Lourdes is acquiring another hospital

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The for-profit company that runs two of the Tri-Cities’ three acute-care hospitals will soon add another Pacific Northwest hospital to its portfolio.

Report: WA family caregivers provide $25 billion yearly in labor

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Family caregivers in Washington state provide an estimated $25 billion worth of unpaid care each year, according to a new report from AARP.

Kadlec nurses vote in favor of new contract

ty@tcjournal.biz — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Safety improvements. Wage increases. Restful breaks. Nurses at Kadlec Regional Medical Center secured key gains in working conditions under a new contract ratified by members of the hospital’s nurses union on March 31, according to a release.

Mid-Columbia health care workers approve new union contract with care provider

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Certified nursing assistants at a Richland nursing home and others in the Yakima Valley unanimously approved a new labor contract that would increase wages 8% over two years if ratified.

‘Hidden gem’ program offers daytime health care for seniors

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0400

For more than 40 years, a local nonprofit has helped keep the elderly and the developmentally disabled moving and engaged through their day services. The organization’s work helps keep clients in their homes and cuts down on hospitalizations.

Annual breakfast raises $55K to support Kadlec programs

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

From specialized medical equipment to scholarships, the March 26 fundraising breakfast for the Kadlec Foundation secured donations to support Kadlec Regional Medical Center and help it serve the region’s health care needs.

Old hospital provides new path to recovery

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:30:00 -0400

Those working on the Mid-Columbia’s first inpatient residential behavioral health facility know they are blazing a trail.

Kadlec tackles region’s growing needs amid industry strains

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:30:00 -0400

As Kadlec and other health care providers work to meet the growing and diverse needs of the region, they’re also trying to navigate perennial and increasingly difficult challenges in the industry related to workforce management, growing costs and shrinking reimbursements for federally subsidized care.

Smaller regional hospitals offer attractive alternative for patients

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:30:00 -0400

Some Tri-Citians seeking elective care are turning to smaller hospitals rather than large health systems, citing shorter wait times, lower costs, and the perception of more personalized attention. At the same time, providers facing growing burnout are also drawn to these facilities for better work-life balance. The trend is shaping the region’s health care landscape, affecting staffing, patient access and the way local hospitals operate.

Bluecarrot expands Tri-Cities footprint, merging fitness and functional wellness

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:30:00 -0400

Anyone who’s ever wanted to try a Lagree workout soon will have more options when the Tri-Cities’ only licensed Lagree Miniformer studio, Bluecarrot, opens two new locations in central Kennewick and west Pasco.

WSU Tri-Cities grad builds career at crossroads of medicine, public trust

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:30:00 -0400

A Washington State University Tri-Cities alumna is not only helping people through her emergency medical residency, but also shedding light on complex health issues on her popular website.

Richland first responders to launch life-saving ‘blood on board’ program

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:30:00 -0400

Richland’s Fire and Emergency Services department is getting ready to deploy a new program to help save lives, and is hosting a community blood drive to help power up the service.

Recovery center to support new care model for mental health, addiction

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:30:00 -0400

The opening of the Columbia Valley Center for Recovery in April will bring more than the first inpatient, residential behavioral health facility to the Mid-Columbia. It also will usher in a new model of care for those struggling with mental illness and substance use disorder in the state.

WSU consolidates nursing program, shifting students to other campuses

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:30:00 -0400

As part of cost-cutting measures, Washington State University is closing its College of Nursing campus in Yakima, and moving 28 students to Richland and Spokane to complete their programs.

This is a wellness issue employers can’t ignore

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:30:00 -0400

Menopause is a natural stage of life that affects millions of working women, yet it often remains overlooked in workplace wellness efforts. As organizations expand their focus on mental health, flexibility- and whole-person well-being, menopause deserves to be part of that conversation, not as a private issue, but as a workplace support need that can directly impact performance, engagement and retention.

Physical Therapy Clinics

nathan@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 08:30:01 -0400

Largest Hospitals and Medical Centers

nathan@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 08:30:01 -0400

Kadlec, Gesa team up to support health care students at Tri-Tech

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Kadlec Regional Medical Center and Gesa Credit Union have teamed up to give local high school students interested in working in the health care industry opportunities to develop their skills through on-the-job training and get paid at the same time.

Health district receives funding to support mental health needs of new families, parents

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 21:00:00 -0500

Benton-Franklin Health District is among six recipients of a grant aimed at making it easier for families during pregnancy or who recently welcomed a child to access mental health services.

Many middle-income families spend at least a tenth of their income on health insurance

avollers@stateline.org — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 21:00:00 -0500

More than half of working-age adults get their health insurance through an employer, but in many states premium contributions and deductibles take a significant bite out of household incomes.

After loss of tax credits, WA sees a drop in insurance coverage

jgoldsteinstreet@washingtonstatestandard.com — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 21:00:00 -0500

About 19,000 fewer Washingtonians enrolled in health insurance through the state’s online marketplace amid the loss of federal subsidies.