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

A White House National Security Council spokesperson reasserted U.S. commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal that the country be placed under a temporary U.S.-backed administration.

The Kremlin leader pushed for this idea to allow for new elections and the signature of key accords to reach a settlement in the war, according to Reuters.

The U.S. conducted separate peace talks with Moscow and Kyiv in Saudi Arabia, which led to a partial ceasefire in the Black Sea and an agreement to halt strikes on energy infrastructure.

Newsweek reached out to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine for comment via email.

Why It Matters

A new presidential election in Ukraine has been a core demand from Russia in the Trump-brokered negotiations. Kyiv has pushed back, asserting Ukraine’s constitutional provision that states no election can be held while the country is at war.

The prospective election would likely exclude parts of Ukraine annexed by Russia, and would raise fears that Moscow could interfere and install a pro-Kremlin leader who would be more amenable to Russia’s terms to end the war.

What To Know

During a visit to the northern port of Murmansk on March 27, Putin said: “In principle, of course, a temporary administration could be introduced in Ukraine under the auspices of the U.N, the United States, European countries and our partners. This would be in order to hold democratic elections and bring to power a capable government enjoying the trust of the people and then to start talks with them about a peace treaty.”

Putin added that, in his opinion, “the newly elected president of the United States sincerely wants an end to the conflict for a number of reasons,” in contrast to former President Joe Biden.

In response, the unidentified White House National Security Council spokesperson said that Ukraine’s constitution and citizens determine its governance.

These comments echo Putin’s previous unevidenced statements that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is not a legitimate president, and that Kyiv should hold elections.

By law, Ukraine cannot hold elections during periods in which martial law is being upheld, as it has been since Russia’s invasion in 2022.

Zelensky was elected as president in 2019, and Ukraine’s presidential election was originally set for 2024 but was ultimately postponed due to the war.

President Donald Trump also reiterated these sentiments and pushed for Ukraine to hold elections in late February, leading to Zelensky’s response that the U.S. leader was living in “a disinformation space.” Trump fired back by calling Ukraine’s leader a “dictator without elections.”

Zelensky has repeatedly rejected demands for a new election, asserting his presidential mandate and highlighting the challenges of conducting a national vote during the war and occupation.

Ukraine’s Parliament affirmed his legitimacy and mandated that Kyiv would hold elections “after comprehensive, just and sustainable peace is ensured on its territory.”

While Putin and Trump have tried to question Zelensky’s legitimacy, the Russian president is widely considered as an authoritarian leader, and some critics on social media pushed for Moscow to hold elections.

What People Are Saying

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Daniel Szeligowski, the head of Eastern Europe program at the Polish Institute of International Affairs, wrote: “Here is, yet again, result of our indolence, of giving Russia a free hand in the information sphere. It is we who should be questioning Putin’s legitimacy and his dealmaking ability. Meanwhile, Putin feels much more confident now after talks with the US.”

In response to Putin’s comments, Helga Salemon, a Russia researcher, wrote on X: “Stalin: ‘No person, no problem.’ Putin: ‘No independent Ukraine, no problem.’”

Janis Kluge, the Deputy Head of Eastern Europe & Eurasia Division at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, wrote on X: “This ‘temporary administration’ is Russia’s plan for regime change in Kyiv. At the least, Putin wants to further undermine Zelenskyy’s legitimacy. Any external meddling in Ukrainian politics would open up opportunities for Russia to destabilize Ukraine and destroy its democracy.”

Inna Sovsun, a member of Ukraine’s Parliament, wrote on X: “Putin suggests placing Ukraine under a UN-led interim government to hold ‘elections.’ This is nothing but a pathetic attempt by Russia to discredit Ukraine and portray it as a failed state. The only country that has desperately needed real elections for decades is Russia. Maybe then, the world could finally negotiate with a legitimate government instead of a dictator clinging to power.”

What Happens Next

Ukraine has not yet responded to Putin’s comments.

Ricketts will join U-18 team for April training camp in Georgia

Washington, D.C. (03/27/2025) – Washington Spirit forward Chloe Ricketts has been called up to the U.S. U-18 Women’s Youth National Team, U.S. Soccer announced today. The U-18 team will hold training camp in Fayetteville, Georgia early next month.

Ricketts will join the rest of the U-18 team along with the U-19 team for a nine-day concurrent training camp in Fayetteville, Georgia. The camp will be hosted at the future home of the federation’s Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer Training Center. Ricketts was most recently called up to a U.S. youth national team, the U-17 squad, in September 2023.

So far in 2025, Ricketts has started all three of the Spirit’s matches, playing predominantly alongside Ashley Hatch and Makenna Morris and helping the team win the 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup. Across Ricketts’ career thus far, the forward has appeared in 27 matches across all competitions, tallying a goal and an assist in 984 minutes of action.

The Spirit recently kicked off the team’s 2025 campaign by winning the second trophy in club history in the annual NWSL Challenge Cup earlier this month against the Orlando Pride and by setting a new club home opener attendance record last weekend with its third consecutive sellout at Audi Field. Fans can secure their spot to see the Spirit in the team’s next match at Audi Field by becoming 2025 Season Ticket Members here. Single match tickets for the Spirit’s next home match on Friday, March 28 at Audi Field are available here.

About The Washington Spirit

The Washington Spirit is the premier professional women’s soccer team based in Washington, D.C. and plays at Audi Field in Buzzard Point. The Spirit was founded on November 21, 2012 and is an inaugural member of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) the fastest growing sports league in the US. The club is home to some of the best players in the world who have won championships for both club and country. For more information about the Spirit, visit WashingtonSpirit.com and follow the club on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.