Health Care

Health

Free Seattle health clinic draws hundreds (and screens for coronavirus)

Hundreds of people line up at the Seattle Center for a free health care clinic that’s watching for something new this year: coronavirus.

Big insurers rack up billions in surpluses, now lawmakers may take a bite of the pie

In recent years, people who buy health insurance on the individual market have experienced steep premium hikes, higher deductibles and increases in other out-of-pocket expenses. At the same time, Washington’s three biggest nonprofit insurers have amassed nearly $4.5 billion dollars in surpluses.

Health

This Swedish nurse who went on strike says understaffing is a major problem

Kim Malcolm talks with Carlos Alvarez, who's a nurse at Swedish Medical Center's Issaquah campus.

Health

Swedish prepares for worker strike, closes two emergency rooms

Roughly 7,800 nurses and caregivers at Swedish Medical Center campuses will go on strike Tuesday morning. The strike comes after contract negotiations between management and union staff stalled after more than nine months of talks. Staffing levels and compensation are two major sticking points.

Another family joins lawsuit against Seattle Children's over mold contamination

Five month-old, Beth, was infected by Aspergillus months after the hospital said its mold problems were fixed.

Health

Nurses and caregivers at Swedish, Providence hospitals postpone strike

Health care workers at Swedish Medical Center and Providence hospitals won't go on strike, at least for now. Thousands of workers across the state planned to announce Friday that they would strike on January 14. Instead, after overnight talks, they announced they’re heading back to the negotiating table.

Health

Seattle Children’s ‘engaged in a cover-up' after mold infections, lawsuit claims

Seattle Children's hospital is facing lawsuits over mold-related deaths and infections.

Politics

Amazon, education and more this week

Bill Radke reviews the week's news with Liz Brazile and Knute Berger of Crosscut, and host of the Seattle Channel's Civic Cocktail, Joni Balter.

Swedish healthcare workers vote to strike for better pay and working conditions

The union that represents many health care workers, SEIU, says its biggest concerns around under-staffing are being ignored. Swedish says it wants workers to come to the table and talk.