New Health is set to expand health care services in Chewelah, a small town in northeast Washington. They plan to introduce dental care and in-person behavioral health services within the next few years. The organization has bought land in the southern part of Chewelah for this new facility, aiming to complete the first phase by 2027. However, details on what this phase includes remain unclear, as New Health hasn’t commented on various inquiries.
Desiree Sweeney, CEO of New Health, emphasized that this project will strengthen their network of eight clinical sites, benefiting the region’s health care and workforce for years to come.
Over the past year, Chewelah has faced cuts to its health services. In August, orthopedic services and the DominiCare program at Providence St. Joseph’s Hospital closed down. This program was crucial for older residents needing nonclinical home services. Providence cited multiple financial pressures, including state and federal funding cuts for Medicare and Medicaid, payment denials from insurers, and rising operational costs.
Recent legislation, like the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, aims to reduce Medicaid eligibility and could further strain health services, projecting a significant budget cut of $1 trillion by 2034.
New Health recently secured $2 million in funding from Congress to support various projects across the state. Sweeney highlighted that this funding would enhance dental and health access in northeastern Washington. “We cover about 5,600 square miles in Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille counties, with a mobile unit that provides essential services to schools and community events,” she said.
Mayor Lindsay Baxter expressed optimism about the expansion, noting it would create jobs and provide necessary services in a community already impacted by previous health service cuts. “Our team is working hard to eliminate barriers so New Health can achieve their goals,” she stated.
Plans initially included remodeling an old middle school for the new services, but issues with renovation costs and building limitations led to a change in strategy.
Mike Frizzell, Chewelah’s public works director, believes this health expansion could be a turning point for the town. He recalled when Alcoa, the town’s largest employer, closed in 2001, taking away around 500 jobs. “The loss was felt deeply,” he said. “Now, bringing new jobs through this health project is a step forward.”
During times of reduced health services, communities like Chewelah often rely more on local initiatives to bolster their healthcare needs. Expansions like this one could lead to improved health outcomes and economic growth.
For insights on health care funding and rural health initiatives, you can read [this report from the Kaiser Family Foundation](https://www.kff.org).
