Tri-Cities hospital lays off therapists amid ongoing financial pressures

Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland is cutting its therapy staff by the equivalent of 5.5 full-time jobs as it copes with challenging financial times in the health care industry.

The workers losing their jobs are employed at the Kadlec Healthplex in Richland and are physical, speech and occupational therapists, according to Kadlec.

The Healthplex at 1268 Lee Blvd. has focused on multidisciplinary care that goes beyond traditional outpatient care.

“Health care is under immense pressure from federal and state cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, delayed reimbursements, ongoing denials from commercial insurers and rising costs due to inflation and tariffs,” Kadlec said in a statement.

“These realities require us to adapt and adjust so we can focus on areas of greatest need, expand access to care and strengthen our ability to continue to care for the community,” it said.

The decision to cut therapy positions was made to help Kadlec focus on core services and its most medically sensitive patients, based on age, diagnosis and the availability of other care options in the Tri-Cities area, Kadlec said.

“We do not take decisions that impact caregivers lightly,” it said. “Beyond every role is a person, colleague, friend and caregiver whose contributions have helped advance our shared vision.”

The loss of therapy jobs follows the closure this summer of the Kadlec Neurological Resource Center, which provided free information and support at the Kadlec Healthplex.

In addition, Kadlec’s Healthy Ages program, which included Medicare education, Mall Walkers, End of Life, Vial of Life and monthly wellness programs, was taken over last month by the nonprofit Senior Life Resources Northwest.

Other hospitals also are making cuts due to financial pressure, including hospitals that, like Kadlec, are part of Providence system in Washington.

The Spokesman-Review reported in August that Providence Inland Northwest was closing several programs in Spokane and Stevens County.

The cuts affected 60 workers as three orthopedic physical therapy clinics were closed, along with a program helping seniors live independently, according to The Spokesman.

In June Providence announced that it was restructuring to reduce 600 full-time-equivalent positions from its total 125,000 workforce across seven states. Some of those laid off might be able to move into other open positions at Providence, said.

“These difficult but necessary steps are part of a comprehensive approach to financial sustainability that will enable our family of organizations to better reinvest in and revitalize the front lines of care, including the people, programs, equipment and facilities needed to serve our communities,” said Dr. Darryl Elmouchi, Providence chief operating officer.