SW Washington

Nurses represented by the Washington State Nurses Association picket outside PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver on April 18, 2024. The picket came during difficult contract negotiations between the nurses and hospital management. | COURTESY/WASHINGTON STATE NURSES ASSOCIATION

PeaceHealth nurses in Vancouver win boost in pay but not staffing Premium

The union argued that the Vancouver hospital would lose nurses without staffing minimums, but settled for a contract with higher wages and workplace protections

Jun 4, 2024

A rendering shows the design of the new Western State Hospital, set to be completed between 2027 and 2029. | IMAGE COURTESY OF HOK ARCHITECTURE

Construction picking up at new Washington psychiatric hospital

The new hospital is key to complying with a court-ordered settlement and meeting the rising demands for mental health care

May 6

Department of Health and Human Services sign

SHUTTERSTOCK

Democrat attorneys general sue RFK Jr., Trump administration to keep public health programs

Oregon joins Washington, California and others in suit hoping to halt mass firings and restore health care services, claiming the administration is violating hundreds of regulations

May 6

PeaceHealth, Vancouver - Medical Center Physician's Building. | COURTESY PEACEHEALTH

Vancouver nurses eye Oregon’s new hospital staffing law

Across the Columbia River, nurses at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center want Oregon-style staff levels in their union contract. They plan to picket outside their hospital on Thursday.

Apr 16, 2024
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PacificSource headquarters is located in Springfield, Oregon. | COURTESY PHOTO

PacificSource lays off 29, will largely pull out of Washington

The Springfield, Oregon—based regional insurer says provider consolidation is making it harder to keep health care costs down — and challenging to expand its footprint. It will focus on its Oregon, Idaho and Montana markets instead.

Mar 28, 2024
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A large white building with a tall tower and staircase

The Washington State Capitol in Olympia. | SHUTTERSTOCK

Proposal to regulate hospital mergers advances in Washington state Legislature

It’s driven in part by Democrats’ interest in protecting abortion access, as well as concerns about preserving affordable care. Republicans say the bill could have unintended consequences.

Feb 13, 2024

Portland, Oregon. | SHUTTERSTOCK

Even without a pandemic, health care was wild in 2023

It was a year in which the health care community had hoped to recuperate. Instead, Oregon and southwest Washington saw major changes affecting workers, patients, insurers, state officials and health systems.

Dec 21, 2023