RITZVILLE, Wash. – East Adams Rural Health Care in Ritzville is facing potential closure, which could result in 108 employees losing their jobs on January 7. This information comes from a notice submitted to the Washington State Security Employment Department.

The hospital board is considering bankruptcy to address over $13 million in debt accumulated between 2022 and 2024. Although the hospital broke even in 2025 thanks to a $2 million allocation from the Washington State Hospital Distress Fund, this does not help with paying down vendor debts.

The CEO stated that vendors can no longer support the hospital without payment. The board is exploring reclassifying from a critical access hospital to a rural emergency hospital with some lawmakers.

This situation leaves the hospital in a chall

See Full Page