RITZVILLE, Wash. — East Adams Rural Healthcare (EARH) may have to close its Ritzville hospital.
According to a WARN notice submitted to the state, Adams County Public Hospital District #2 could layoff all 108 employees in January if its financial situation isn’t resolved soon.
In the notice, the Interim CEO Todd Nida wrote EARH is “experiencing severe financial difficulties and is at risk of closure or filing for bankruptcy.” He said they’ve had $13.4 million in losses between 2022-2025. Nida wrote it will end the year at breakeven due to receiving $2 million in Washington State Hospital Distressed funds in July.
“However, the debt incurred during the years of losses cannot be addressed and vendors are no longer in a position to continue support without payment,” Nida wrote.
Dallas Killian, the COO at EARH said they are required to issue the WARN notice, because there is a risk they’ll have to lay everyone off if they can’t stay open. He says hospital administrators are working to find solutions so that won’t happen.
They are seeking state funding to keep the doors open. If the hospital closes, the nearest ER is 45 minutes away.
Killian says they’re also applying to become a Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) which opens them up for more funding. However, that requires approval from the state legislature.
Hospital administrators are also discussing asking voters to approve a levy. The soonest that could happen is February.
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