At Washington Health Care Authority, workers are warned of layoffs

Employees at the Washington Health Care Authority are bracing for layoffs as the agency faces significant funding challenges. Interim Director MaryAnne Lindeblad communicated to staff that workforce reductions will be part of the agency's future strategy, attributing the decision to budget shortfalls rather than individual performance. The authority oversees healthcare services for 2. 7 million residents and administers the state’s Medicaid program, Apple Health, which has over 1. 9 million enrollees.

Concerns have been raised by union officials about the lack of formal notification regarding layoffs, as required by collective bargaining agreements. Recent state budget cuts have already resulted in job losses in other agencies, highlighting a trend of workforce reductions across state government. The Office of Financial Management reported that 176 people lost their jobs in the last fiscal year, with more cuts expected. Washington’s Employment Security Department has begun offering webinars to assist affected workers with unemployment benefits and reemployment services. The anticipated layoffs at the Health Care Authority reflect ongoing financial pressures faced by state agencies.