PeaceHealth, a not‑for‑profit health system based in Vancouver, has notified Washington state officials of a planned reduction in its workforce by 94 positions system‑wide, including 46 job losses in Clark County, by April 12, 2026. This figure comes from a published state notice under Washington’s WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) Act, which defines the scale as a “mass layoff.” The announcement was submitted on February 11, 2026. The Columbian reports.

Meanwhile, Cascadia Daily News confirms PeaceHealth plans to eliminate 94 roles across its system, including 26 specific positions in Bellingham, with all layoffs effective April 12. That report likewise stems from the WARN notification sent to the state. Cascadia Daily News reports.

As of this writing, PeaceHealth has not issued a public statement detailing the reasoning behind the layoffs or identifying which departments or service areas will be impacted in Clark County. Nor has the system commented publicly on the Bellingham cuts.

Washington’s WARN Act requires employers to provide advance notice of mass layoff or plant closure events. PeaceHealth’s submission triggers that requirement, but additional detail—such as the nature of roles, selection criteria, or offered severance—remains unavailable in publicly accessible filings.

Why This Matters Locally

Clark County includes the cities of Longview and Kelso, and PeaceHealth operates major sites including PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Longview. The loss of 46 jobs may meaningfully affect staffing levels, patient care capacity, or service availability, particularly if clinical roles such as nursing, lab, or social work staff are included.

In past Workforce reductions, PeaceHealth has cut non‑clinical roles such as lab technicians and administrative coordinators. For example, in mid‑2025, the system eliminated 1 percent of its workforce—approximately 160 staff—impacting lab technicians, mobility aides, and care managers at southwest Washington and Springfield facilities. Staff and union representatives warned these cuts risk extending patient stays, slowing discharges, and straining emergency departments. The Portland Mercury reported on these concerns; WSNA published notice.

If this wave similarly affects non‑patient-facing roles in Clark County, it could impede essential support functions, complicate care continuity, and undermine service reliability in our region.

What Remains Unclear

• Which departments or roles in Clark County are targeted?
• Will severance, job placement assistance, or reassignments be offered?
• Has PeaceHealth quantified anticipated impacts on patient care or operations?
• Were layoffs across site types (e.g., hospitals, clinics, administration), or clustered at specific locations?

Columbia Countercurrent has not located a corresponding public statement from PeaceHealth regarding these layoffs. We will pursue additional detail from available WARN filings or direct communications from the health system.

Next Steps for Local Readers

• PeaceHealth employees in Clark County may review WARN notifications at the Washington State Employment Security Department’s website or their employer’s internal communications.
• Community members are encouraged to monitor PeaceHealth’s official channels for updates, though none have been posted yet at the time of writing.
• We are reaching out to local labor representatives and health‑care advocates to assess what support is being mobilized for affected workers and to understand potential service gaps.

Editor’s Note: This article will be updated when additional details become available through public records or direct confirmation from PeaceHealth or labor representatives.