Joy Borkholder

Rep. Kim Schrier speaks with Regional Manager Susan Rushing about a room designated for serving homeless veterans during a visit to the new VA Puget Sound Health Care System Everett Clinic on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

New VA clinic in Everett already has 5,300 patients

U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier toured the new center Friday, where veterans can get primary care and a growing list of specialty services close to home.

Rep. Kim Schrier speaks with Regional Manager Susan Rushing about a room designated for serving homeless veterans during a visit to the new VA Puget Sound Health Care System Everett Clinic on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Snohomish County Human Services Opioid Outreach Specialist Amy Wheat talks about Narcan at the Everett Public Library Evergreen Branch in Everett, Washington on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)

‘We cannot help people if they are not alive’

Everett libraries and Snohomish County have partnered to train people on how to use naloxone, in an effort to reverse overdoses.

Snohomish County Human Services Opioid Outreach Specialist Amy Wheat talks about Narcan at the Everett Public Library Evergreen Branch in Everett, Washington on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Health care workers at Providence Hospice and Homecare of Snohomish County are still without a contract after voting to unionize over two years ago. (Lizz Giordano / The Herald)

Providence to close inpatient hospice unit in Everett

Patients and families will have to go to Bellingham or Kirkland for similar care. Employees will be offered other positions.

Health care workers at Providence Hospice and Homecare of Snohomish County are still without a contract after voting to unionize over two years ago. (Lizz Giordano / The Herald)
The Everett Clinic Founders Building on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in Everett. (Eric Schucht / The Herald)

Everett Clinic’s spat with Premera ‘lifts the curtain’ on price increases

When The Everett Clinic acquired Eastside, rates increased 50%, according to court filings.

The Everett Clinic Founders Building on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in Everett. (Eric Schucht / The Herald)
Jo Ford, 74, and her husband Bernard Ford, 80, sit together beneath a gazebo at the Stilly Valley Center on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Arlington, Washington. The couple has been married for 52 years and have both received medical care from The Everett Clinic for most of their lives. They are now looking for other care providers because of confusing and incorrect information from the clinic during its ongoing contract dispute with Regence over Medicare Advantage plans.  (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

In Medicare Advantage stalemate, Everett Clinic patients left in limbo

The Everett Clinic has apparently turned away patients with Regence coverage, despite the provisions of a public health emergency.

Jo Ford, 74, and her husband Bernard Ford, 80, sit together beneath a gazebo at the Stilly Valley Center on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Arlington, Washington. The couple has been married for 52 years and have both received medical care from The Everett Clinic for most of their lives. They are now looking for other care providers because of confusing and incorrect information from the clinic during its ongoing contract dispute with Regence over Medicare Advantage plans.  (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
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Top health news in 2022

We’ve gathered some of the year’s most important health stories for Snohomish County.

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The Snohomish Health District building in Everett. (Sue Misao / The Herald)

Snohomish Health District merger cuts off insurance for retirees

Dozens of retirees will lose access to PEBB insurance on Jan. 1, which they learned in letters sent around Thanksgiving.

The Snohomish Health District building in Everett. (Sue Misao / The Herald)

‘Tripledemic’ strains resources at Snohomish County hospitals

Snohomish and state health leaders stepped up calls to wear masks and get vaxxed: “When hospitals are overburdened, it impacts everyone.”

Annaberies Colmena, a patient navigator, sits behind an open enrollment flyer at Sea Mar on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

New state health insurance tax credit offers enticing premium: $0

Washington residents should enroll by Dec. 15 for coverage starting Jan. 1. In Snohomish, 90% of exchange customers could shop and save.

Annaberies Colmena, a patient navigator, sits behind an open enrollment flyer at Sea Mar on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Providence-WSU residents assemble street medicine kits at Providence Regional Medical Center. (Joy Borkholder / The Herald)

Providence doctors pack bags to spread Christmas cheer to the streets

Medical residents filled 125 bags with supplies for street medicine kits for underserved populations.

Providence-WSU residents assemble street medicine kits at Providence Regional Medical Center. (Joy Borkholder / The Herald)
The coronavirus omicron variant has been detected in Snohomish County, prompting health officials to remind people to get vaccinated and mask up. (Chuck Taylor / Herald file)

Health officials urge mask-wearing as viruses rise statewide

An “unprecedented surge in viral respiratory illnesses” spurred a joint statement from dozens of county medical leaders.

The coronavirus omicron variant has been detected in Snohomish County, prompting health officials to remind people to get vaccinated and mask up. (Chuck Taylor / Herald file)
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Mpox cases drop dramatically in Snohomish County, across state

Given the low numbers, the virus also known as monkeypox is no longer expected to be a public health emergency nationwide.

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Medicare open enrollment ends Dec. 7

Find information and resources to help make the best choice for you.

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The Everett Clinic Founders Building on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in Everett. (Eric Schucht / The Herald)

Contract impasse could affect thousands at Regence, Everett Clinic

After Optum reportedly demanded a 14.75% rate increase, Regence’s contract with the clinic’s parent company is set to expire soon.

The Everett Clinic Founders Building on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in Everett. (Eric Schucht / The Herald)
Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. (Olivia Vanni/The Herald)

Providence responds to critical letter from Everett, county councils

It’s the latest chapter in an ongoing conversation about nurses’ concerns around exhaustion and short staffing at the Everett hospital.

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. (Olivia Vanni/The Herald)
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State’s Native American crisis hotline is first in the nation

The Native and Strong Lifeline provides culturally appropriate mental health support and referrals.

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Snohomish County recruiting for new board of health

Interested parties can apply now to help guide the newly established agency.

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Dennis Worsham

First director named for new Snohomish County Health Department

Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers announced the appointment of Dennis Worsham on Wednesday

Dennis Worsham
Influenza A data from The Everett Clinic labs.

Flu, RSV cases spiking early in Snohomish County, doctors warn

ER beds for kids are in short supply in part due to an unusual spike in RSV, which is likened to a “cold on steroids.”

Influenza A data from The Everett Clinic labs.