Health Care

Premera, MultiCare contract dispute raises concerns

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

A contract dispute between Premera Blue Cross and MultiCare Health System is putting thousands of Spokane-area workers and employers at risk of higher health care costs, or potential disruptions in care if the two sides fail to reach an agreement by the end of May.

Work begins on Reardan primary care clinic

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Site work is now underway for a new 4,100-square-foot primary care clinic in Reardan, Washington, and the $2.3 million facility is expected to open by Oct. 31.

County begins expansion of treatment center

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Construction of the new Spokane County Prevention, Assessment, Treatment, and Healing, or PATH, Crisis Relief and Sobering Center is underway at 1168 N. Cedar, less than a block west of the Spokane Transit Authority operations and maintenance building.

HSSA awards five Spokane startups $3.25M

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

The Health Sciences & Services Authority of Spokane County has awarded $3.25 million in grants to five health and bioscience businesses that will help the startups catalyze their research, create well-paying jobs, and create future economic growth in the county, a press release from the organization announced.

Five Takeaways: The Health of Health Care

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

For its latest episode of Elevating The Conversation, the Journal sat down with Aaron Wilson, the CEO of CHAS Health, to discuss the health of health care.

Businesses pay when ignoring drivers of health costs

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

In Spokane and across Eastern Washington, health care affordability is no longer a future concern. It's already shaping decisions that local employers are making today about jobs, growth, and compensation.

Providence ElderPlace supports senior autonomy

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Every weekday at 10 a.m., seniors whose lives have been impacted by issues such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, or injuries and frailties that come with aging arrive at Providence ElderPlace in Spokane's Nevada Heights neighborhood for four hours of adult day care.

Clarion Partners acquires The Grand at Spokane

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

The Grand at Spokane, a 137-unit senior living community, has been purchased by New York City-based real estate investment adviser Clarion Partners LLC, for $41 million.

Cheney Care Community advances expansion plans

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Nonprofit senior care provider Cheney Care Community is moving forward with plans to develop dozens of independent living duplexes expanding its campus at 2219 N. Sixth, in Cheney.

Maplewood Software, StaffReady acquired

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Dallas-based Exa Capital LLC has acquired Spokane-based Maplewood Software Inc. and its spin-off, StaffReady, which is a trade name for NW Software Solutions Inc.

2026 Large Business of the Year Finalist: Sunshine Health Facilities Inc.

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Sunshine Health Facilities Inc. is a finalist for the 2026 Inland Northwest Business of the Year Awards, in the large-business category.

2026 Large Business of the Year Winner: Jubilant HollisterStier LLC

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Pharmaceutical contract manufacturer Jubilant HollisterStier LLC has been named the winner of the Large Business of the Year category in the Journal's 2026 Inland Northwest Business of the Year Awards.

2026 Nonprofit of the Year Finalist: Community Health Association of Spokane, dba CHAS Health

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

CHAS Health is a finalist for the Inland Northwest Business of the Year Awards, in the nonprofit category.

Prairie Medical Campus work to begin this month

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

The first phase of construction for the Prairie Medical Campus in Post Falls is expected to kick off this month and conclude in December 2027.

2026 Nonprofit of the Year Winner: Maddie's Place

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Maddie's Place has been named the winner of the Nonprofit of the Year category in the Journal's 2026 Inland Northwest Business of the Year Awards.

More funding sought for Spokane Veterans Home

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

To fund design work for a proposed new $146 million Spokane Veterans Home, the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs has requested additional funding from the state Legislature as part of its 2026 supplemental budget.

Cancer Can't prepares to break ground in April

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Cancer Can’t, a Spokane-based nonprofit that supports adult cancer patients and their families in the Inland Northwest, has reached its $6 million fundraising goal and expects to break ground on its oncology lodging project in April, says Cancer Can't co-founder and board president Becky Van Keulen.

Organ recoveries have banner year

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500

LifeCenter Northwest is capitalizing on a year of high performance following a record number of organs donated in Washington state and organs transplanted nationally in 2025.

Excelsior Wellness advances proof of concept

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Construction of Excelsior Wellness’ 25-unit intergenerational apartment complex is underway on Northwest Boulevard and expected to be completed this fall.

Health systems navigate new operating reality

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500

The Pacific Northwest is a microcosm of a national shift. Three main pressures — financial, labor, and technology — are impacting the foundations of the health care industry here.

University of Washington expands access to health care

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500

At a time when the public is questioning the value of higher education, the University of Washington’s contributions in Eastern Washington offer some of the strongest examples of the power of our partnerships — and our commitment to improving the lives of all Washingtonians.

Catching up with Shaun Cross, Maddie's Place president and CEO

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Last April, Maddie’s Place President and CEO Shaun Cross was worried the Spokane-based neonatal transitional care facility might not secure $2 million from the Washington State Legislature to continue operating. To help prevent a potential closure, the organization launched a social media campaign. The campaign not only helped raise additional funds but sparked national interest, with groups in more than 30 states now exploring how to bring a Maddie’s Place-style facility to their communities.

Inherent Biosciences eyes further growth in Spokane

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Salt Lake City-based Inherent Biosciences Inc., a health care diagnostic startup, is growing its presence in the Spokane area since first expanding here in 2024 through $1.25 million in grants from Health Sciences & Services Authority of Spokane County.

Catching up with Tina Gordon, Ketamine Clinic of Spokane co-owner

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Amid ongoing political, social, and economic uncertainty and tumult, demand for ketamine infusion therapy at the Ketamine Clinic of Spokane LLC has remained steady as patients seek tools to manage depression, anxiety, and emotional overload, often compounded by collective stress.

First phase of Heart Institute modernization kicks off

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

The first phase of a $42 million modernization project at Providence Heart Institute is now underway.

Cutting costs, not benefits

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

As the cost of health insurance rises, employers looking to reduce costs while still providing generous health and wellness benefit packages for their employees should explore options like section 125 cafeteria plans or level-funded plans and be willing to accept feedback from employees, industry experts in Spokane suggest.

EWU prepares to launch dental therapy program

tinas@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

Eastern Washington University is moving forward with plans to launch a master’s in dental therapy program, a move that would place the university among a small handful of institutions nationwide offering the credential and expand access to oral health care in rural Washington, says Dawn Lewis-Kinnunen, dean of EWU’s College of Health Science and Public Health.

INW health care systems show signs of improvement

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

Financial challenges continue for the Inland Northwest service areas of Providence Health & Services-Washington and MultiCare Health System, but Spokane’s two largest health care providers have shown signs of improvement.

Rising labor, supply costs challenge health care sector

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

This year, the Spokane Journal of Business celebrates 40 years in this community. As the Journal celebrates 40 years chronicling Spokane’s growth, Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center approaches its own milestone — 140 years of caring for this community.

Spokane Eye Clinic joins new network

tinas@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

Spokane Eye Clinic has been acquired by PRISM Vision Group, a New Providence, New Jersey-based general ophthalmology and retina practice management services provider.