Health Care

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.

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.