Challenges and Trends

1

Workforce Shortages

91% of rural counties nationally
Source:
• Joint Economic Committee 2024 report on rural healthcare shortages
• Last verified: January 2025
lack primary care; WA is projected to be short 6,037 doctors, with 32.7% of physicians within retirement range.12,9
2

Cyber Risks

Ransomware up 149% in 2025
Source:
• Healthcare cybersecurity statistics 2025
• Q1 2025 Ransomware Report
• Last verified: January 2025
; Breaches cost millions, disrupting care.9,13
3

Consolidation Trends

Oligopolistic markets raising prices 20-30% since 1980s
Source:
• KFF: Provider consolidation research
• PMC: Hospital market concentration studies
• Last verified: January 2025
; EH faces pressures from Providence dominance in Seattle.14,9
4

Population and Demand Growth

0.3% projected annual growth
Source:
• King County official demographic projections
• US Census Bureau 2023 Population Estimates
• Last verified: January 2025
in King County through 2029, still straining 100% occupancy
Source:
• EH 2024 Financial Report: Financial Report PDF
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