At Washington Health Care Authority, workers are warned of layoffs

Employees at one of Washington state’s largest health agencies are bracing for layoffs due to ongoing funding challenges.

Though how many could lose their jobs and when aren’t known, the leader of the Washington Health Care Authority told workers in a Wednesday email that she “didn’t want to wait to let you know that layoffs will be part of our path forward.”

“Despite significant efforts to close our budget gap, we’ve reached a point where workforce reductions will be necessary,” wrote MaryAnne Lindeblad, the agency’s interim director who will hand the baton to a new executive this month. “These decisions are not a reflection of anyone’s performance or value; they’re driven by the size of our shortfall and the structure of our funding.”

With roughly 1,900 employees, the agency is responsible for purchasing and coordinating health care services, including behavioral health treatment, for 2.7 million residents.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/08/01/at-washington-health-care-authority-workers-are-warned-of-layoffs/