Health Care

Health enrollment plans said likely to increase

Officials cite improvements to plans, payment process

December 3, 2015

Washington Healthplanfinder, the online health insurance marketplace operated by the Washington Health Benefit Exchange, recently launched its third open enrollment period, which runs from Nov. 1 through Jan. 31, and some observers say they expect the num

Cooney Law plans to move to larger space next year

Practice has been based in Garland District since '49

November 5, 2015

Citing an inability to grow in its current location, Cooney Law Offices PS will leave its home of 66 years in the Garland Business District, at 910 W. Garland, and relocate next year to the northeast corner of Washington Street and Indiana Avenue. The Co

Couple begins expansion, remodel of Cheney hotel

Project to add 46 rooms, cost about $4.7 million

November 5, 2015

Construction started last week on a $4.7 million expansion and renovation of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites at 111 Betz Road, in Cheney. The hotel's general manager, Dori Byrd, says the planned expansion is desperately needed. 'Last year, we had 9

Rockwood Health owner reports softer earnings

CEO cites several factors, including admissions drop

November 5, 2015

LeAnn Bjerken

Community Health Systems Inc., the publicly traded, Franklin, Tenn.-based medical facilities operator that owns Rockwood Health System in Spokane, reported this week that its earnings declined in the third quarter. CHS reported third-quarter net income a

WSU Spokane medical school process moves forward

Staff to submit document to address financial plan

November 5, 2015

The next step in the accreditation process for the proposed Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State University Spokane is for administrators and staff to submit a self-study before the end of 2015 that tackles issues of future funding and s

Blood Center INBC issues pre-holiday pitch for donations

Donations tend to plummet when students take break

October 22, 2015

The Inland Northwest Blood Center is appealing to the community for blood and blood platelet donations before the holiday season arrives.

North Side orthopedic clinic brings on hand surgeon

Specialist is third physician at practice on North Side

October 22, 2015

LeAnn Bjerken

Orthopaedic Specialty Clinic of Spokane PLLC says it recently hired a new hand and upper extremity surgeon.

Northwest Orthopaedic welcomes new chief exec

Wunar is first nonphysician to hold practice's top post

October 22, 2015

LeAnn Bjerken

Northwest Orthopaedic Specialists PS says it has hired Robert J. Wunar as its new chief executive officer.

Another Spokane physician converts to direct care

Practice operates under alternative payment model

October 22, 2015

LeAnn Bjerken

A growing primary-care physician shortage combined with an increase in primary-care visits generated by the Affordable Care Act has some physicians here, such as Dr. Cody Ellefsen, looking at an alternative business model, called direct primary care.

Planned Parenthood set to build $5 million clinic

Organization to replace facility north of downtown

October 22, 2015

Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho has submitted a building permit application to the city of Spokane for construction of a $5 million health and community education center north of downtown Spokane.