Providence Inland Northwest has announced the closure of several orthopedic therapy programs in Spokane and Stevens counties, citing state and federal funding cuts as a factor in the decision.

The total number of employees impacted by the closures is about 60, a Providence press release says. 

“This decision, though difficult, is a necessary step to ensure that Providence remains agile and responsive to the evolving needs of our community,” says Providence Inland Northwest Chief Executive Susan Stacey in the release. “We are committed to delivering high-quality care where it is most needed and enhancing our ability to serve our patients effectively.”

Effective Oct. 3, Providence will close the outpatient orthopedic physical therapy clinics located in Spokane’s Providence St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Medical Center and in Spokane Valley's Providence Medical Park. Providence will also close DominiCare and an outpatient orthopedic physical therapy clinic, both located at St. Joseph’s Hospital, in Chewelah.

Providence attributes the reason for the closures to multiple pressures facing the health care industry, "including state and federal cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, added costs resulting from state legislative policies, ongoing denials and delayed payments from commercial insurers, higher labor costs, and higher costs for pharmaceuticals and supplies due to inflation and tariffs."

Providence will continue to offer specialty physical therapy services for cardiac, neurology, and pediatrics. Mount Carmel Hospital in Colville, located 30 miles north of St. Joseph’s Hospital, will continue to offer orthopedic physical therapy.

A large number of clinics in the Spokane area offer orthopedic physical therapy services to patients in Spokane, says Providence spokeswoman Allie Hyams.

"Orthopedic physical therapy clinics are widely available in the Spokane and Spokane Valley communities," says Hyams in an email to the Journal. "When we looked at availability, we found more than 50 clinics, half of which accept Medicaid."

Similarly, Providence looked into companion-based home care when considering whether to close DominiCare in Chewelah, she says.

DominiCare provides in-home companion services for elderly and functionally impaired individuals. Hyams says Catholic Charities has offered to assist in replacing some of the needs impacted by the closure. Additional programs that offer companion-based care include Beneficial in Home Care, Addus Home Care, ResCare Home Care, and Chesterfield Services.

Although Providence did not disclose how much Providence was spending annually on the programs, Hyams says, Providence lost money in nine of the last 12 quarters with a net operating loss the last three years.

"The last five years have been unprecedented for health care," Hyams says. "We have been sharing publicly since the COVID-19 pandemic that we were experiencing a financial crisis."

Providence will be coordinating with local providers to ensure a smooth transition for patients currently utilizing these services, according to the release.