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Union, advocates tell King County council Valley Medical Center is restricting Medicaid appointments; hospital cites steep losses and restructuring
Summary
Union representatives, community groups and patients told the committee that Valley Medical Center has limited Medicaid scheduling and removed patients based on ZIP code; Valley leaders said multi‑year operating losses, clinic closures and staffing reductions forced difficult decisions and said they are working with partners to restore access.
Community advocates, union representatives and clinicians told the King County committee that Valley Medical Center has implemented scheduling practices and clinic closures that they say limit access for Medicaid patients and disproportionately harm Pacific Islander, immigrant and low‑income communities.
Lika Smith, executive director of the Pacific Islander Health Board, said several pregnant patients were removed from Valley’s OB practice and told their ZIP codes were outside the hospital’s service area; some then gave birth in the emergency department after being unable to resume prenatal care. "Denying care due to Medicaid coverage is unacceptable and places mothers and babies at serious risk," she told the committee.
Amira Zada, a union representative for OPEIU Local 8 speaking on behalf of…
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