SPOKANE, Wash. – Providence Inland Northwest announced the closure of several clinics in Spokane and Stevens County, attributing the reason for the change to multiple financial pressures facing healthcare companies.
Providence announced that it will close DominiCare and the outpatient Orthopedic Physical Therapy Clinic at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chewelah. They also announced the closures of Orthopedic Physical Therapy clinics at Providence St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Medical Center in Spokane and at Providence Medical Park in Spokane Valley.
The last day of services for these clinics will be October 3.
Providence said it was facing multiple pressures, 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.
“These headwinds will only intensify when the cuts to vital safety-net programs that were included in the recently passed HR1, also known as the One Beautiful Bill Act, go into effect,” Providence wrote.
About 60 positions will be impacted by the closures, according to Providence, which said it was working on redeploying affected caregivers when possible and providing transitional resources to everyone involved.
Providence wrote that its goal was to “ensure the core services we provide continue into the future.”
It will continue to offer specialty physical; therapy for cardiac, neurology and pediatrics. Orthopedic Physical Therapy services will also continue at Providence Mount Carmel Hospital in Colville.
No changes will be made to in-patient therapy services.
“This decision, though difficult, is a necessary step to ensure that Providence remains agile and responsive to the evolving needs of our community,” said Chief Executive Susan Stacey, RN. “We are committed to delivering high-quality care where it is most needed and enhancing our ability to serve our patients effectively.”
Providence plans to coordinate with local providers to help create smooth transitions for patients.
Catholic Charities indicated that it intends to help fill the needs left by the clinic closures, said Providence. Catholic Charities reportedly told Providence that they will offer positions for Providence caregivers impacted by the change.
“In response to the evolving health care landscape, Providence is continuing to adapt our service delivery models to meet the increasing needs of our community more effectively,” wrote Providence.
“We believe these changes are necessary steps toward a sustainable health care future,” it concluded.
Providence is a not-for-profit Catholic health care ministry serving Eastern Washington. Providence Medical Group includes more than 850 physicians and advanced practitioners.
