At Washington Health Care Authority, workers are warned of layoffs

The Washington Health Care Authority is preparing for layoffs as budget shortfalls necessitate workforce reductions, according to interim director MaryAnne Lindeblad. The agency, responsible for health services for 2. 7 million residents, including the Medicaid program Apple Health, employs approximately 1,900 individuals. Lindeblad emphasized that the layoffs are not performance-related but driven by funding structure issues. Union representatives, including Mike Yestramski, indicate that employees are anxious about job security, especially as layoffs have already impacted other state agencies.

The Department of Health reported 44 layoffs as of June, attributing them to decreased state funding and loss of federal pandemic support. Additionally, 176 workers lost their jobs in the last fiscal year, with further cuts anticipated due to unfilled positions in the current budget. A spokesperson noted the agency's efforts to manage limited resources while fulfilling commitments to residents. The situation underscores ongoing challenges within Washington's state government as it navigates funding constraints.