Washington's safety net clinics face 'perfect storm' of federal threats
Clinics across Washington that focus on serving low-income patients are bracing for a dual threat from the federal government.
Community health centers could be especially hurt by major cuts to Medicaid included in President Donald Trump’s tax cut and spending bill. And a now-delayed federal rule change barring some immigrants from accessing certain health care services could force clinics to reject patients.
Washington has 27 such health centers, half of which serve rural communities, according to the state Health Care Authority. In the state’s 2024 fiscal year, they received $666 million in Medicaid payments.
“Community health centers really are a backbone of the primary care safety net,” said Dave Pearson, the CEO of the Washington Association of Community Health.
https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/07/30/washingtons-safety-net-clinics-face-perfect-storm-of-federal-threats/