Spokane Board of Health will not outsource treatment services anytime soon

The Spokane Regional Health District has announced that it will not outsource its opioid treatment services, postponing any related discussions until December 2025. This decision follows concerns from patients about the potential negative impact on care quality if services were to be managed by a for-profit organization. Since 1990, the district has served over 1,000 patients struggling with opioid addiction and has been evaluating outsourcing options since May. The delay, requested by SRHD administrator Alicia Thompson, will allow for the implementation of a new electronic health record system, essential for improving patient care. This decision reflects the ongoing challenges public health agencies face in balancing financial sustainability with patient welfare, and it may serve as a model for other regions dealing with similar issues amid the ongoing opioid crisis.