MultiCare Cuts 138 Jobs Amid Financial Woes

MultiCare Health System announced layoffs affecting 138 positions, with 83 cuts impacting employees and providers at four clinics in the Spokane area. These reductions, taking effect November 6, also include systemwide administrative and leadership roles. This action is part of an effort to enhance the network's efficiency and future relevance.

The health system is facing substantial financial challenges, having incurred approximately $652 million in losses between 2022 and 2025. CEO Bill Robertson cited factors such as increased costs for pharmaceuticals and labor, reduced federal spending, and the long-term impact of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," projected to reduce MultiCare's revenue by $1.5 billion over the next decade. Additionally, a rollback of Affordable Care Act benefits has led to a nearly 6% increase in charity care.

Bill Robertson is set to retire as CEO on December 31, 2026. Florence Chang, currently MultiCare's president, will assume the role of president and CEO on January 1, 2027. This transition follows a similar downsizing in 2023 that affected 229 workers.

Despite these internal adjustments, MultiCare is moving forward with its planned affiliation with Samaritan Health Services in Oregon. Robertson stated that the acquisition involves a "membership substitution" and that the combined entity will be better positioned to serve approximately 5 million people across the Pacific Northwest, emphasizing the need for broader reach beyond Washington state.