Washington
Washington hospitals grappling with financial crisis
Hospitals across Washington state are grappling with a financial crisis that is already leading to job losses.
The federal government, which typically increases Medicaid reimbursements annually, did not approve an increase for 2025. Cassie Sauer, CEO of the Washington State Hospital Association, said Medicaid payments are now lower than they were in 2024, leaving hospitals unable to cover operating expenses.
“If they don’t have the cash flow to cover their operating expenses, they are going to have to make cuts and layoffs,” Sauer said.
Valley Medical Center in Renton has already confirmed to The Renton Reporter layoffs of more than 100 workers. Sauer expressed concern that the Biden administration did not pass the increase and fears the Trump administration may lack the political will to approve it.
“This is a program that is in jeopardy,” Sauer said, citing discussions about Medicaid cuts and reductions in the Medicaid budget.
Sauer noted that current reimbursement rates are so low that hospitals are paid only half of what it costs to care for Medicaid patients. She warned that hospitals across the state could lose a total of $1 billion, putting essential services at risk.
“What the hospital will do will be to close a whole service—like they’ll close labor and delivery, or they’ll close the mental health units, they’ll close their physical therapy department. That service is then gone for the entire community, not just for people on Medicaid,” Sauer said.
The financial strain is compounded by rising costs for staff, supplies, energy, and pharmaceuticals, while payments to hospitals remain stagnant. Sauer also criticized the Washington state legislature for proposing cuts to hospitals and new taxes on them, adding to the pressure on healthcare providers.
The crisis, Sauer emphasized, will affect all residents of Washington, not just those on Medicaid.
Heather Bosch is an award-winning journalist for KIRO Newsradio
DE Dawuane Smoot, LB Foyesade Oluokun, TE Brenton Strange, S Eric Murray, and S Antonio Johnson speak with the media after practice on Thursday ahead of the Wild Card Matchup vs. Bills.
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DUBAI, Jan 11 (Reuters) – Iran warned President Donald Trump on Sunday that any U.S. attack would lead to Tehran striking back against Israel and regional U.S. military bases as “legitimate targets”, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf told parliament.
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Washington
Washington National Opera cuts ties with the Kennedy Center after longstanding partnership | CNN Politics
The Washington National Opera on Friday announced it is parting ways with the Kennedy Center after more than a decade with the arts institution.
“Today, the Washington National Opera announced its decision to seek an amicable early termination of its affiliation agreement with the Kennedy Center and resume operations as a fully independent nonprofit entity,” the opera said in a statement.
The decoupling marks another high-profile withdrawal since President Donald Trump and his newly installed board of trustees instituted broad thematic and cosmetic changes to the building, including renaming the facility “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.”
The opera said it plans to “reduce its spring season and relocate performances to new venues.”
A source familiar with the dynamic told CNN the decision to part ways was made by the opera’s board and its leadership, and that the decision was not mutual.
A spokesperson for the Kennedy Center said in a statement, “After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to part ways with the WNO due to a financially challenging relationship. We believe this represents the best path forward for both organizations and enables us to make responsible choices that support the financial stability and long-term future of the Trump Kennedy Center.”
Kennedy Center president Richard Grenell, who was appointed by Trump’s hand-picked board, said on X, “Having an exclusive relationship has been extremely expensive and limiting in choice and variety.”
Grenell added, “Having an exclusive Opera was just not financially smart. And our patrons clearly wanted a refresh.”
Since taking the reins at the center, Grenell has cut existing staff, hired political allies and mandated a “break-even policy” for every performance.
The opera said the new policy was a factor in its decision to leave the center.
“The Center’s new business model requires productions to be fully funded in advance—a requirement incompatible with opera operations,” the opera said.
Francesca Zambello, the opera’s artistic director, said she is “deeply saddened to leave The Kennedy Center.”
“In the coming years, as we explore new venues and new ways of performing, WNO remains committed to its mission and artistic vision,” she said.
The New York Times first reported the opera’s departure.
Founded in 1956 as the “Opera Society of Washington,” the group has performed across the district, taking permanent residency in the Kennedy Center in 2011.
The performing arts center has been hit with a string of abrupt cancellations from artists in recent weeks including the jazz group The Cookers and New York City-based dance company Doug Varone and Dancers who canceled their performances after Trump’s name was added to the center – a living memorial for assassinated President John F. Kennedy.
The American College Theater Festival voted to suspend its relationship with the Kennedy Center, calling the affiliation “no longer viable” and citing concerns over a misalignment of the group’s values.
American banjo player Béla Fleck withdrew his upcoming performance with the National Symphony Orchestra, saying that performing at the center has become “charged and political.”
The Brentano String Quartet, who canceled their February 1 performance at the Kennedy Center, said they will “regretfully forego performing there.”
CNN has reached out to the Kennedy Center on the additional cancellations.
The opera said, “The Board and management of the company wish the Center well in its own future endeavors.”
CNN’s Betsy Klein and Nicky Robertson contributed to this report.
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