Molina Healthcare of Washington Hosts Virtual Panel on Improving Rural Health Care Access in Washington
Rhonda Frazier, Rhonda.Frazier@MolinaHealthCare.com, (562) 980-3849
SEATTLE, Wash., June 8, 2026 – The MolinaCares Accord (“MolinaCares”), in collaboration with Molina Healthcare of Washington (“Molina”), hosted a virtual panel on May 26 addressing the unique challenges and needs of Washington’s rural communities. This discussion comes on the heels of Washington State’s once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in rural communities through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, offering $181 million annually for five years.
“We are deeply committed to ensuring all Washingtonians receive accessible, reliable health care no matter their location,” said Ryan Moran, director of the Washington State Health Care Authority. “Directly communicating with rural communities and health systems about their unique challenges is a key part of the work already underway by the Washington State Health Care Authority. Partnerships, as established by efforts like our Washington Rural Health Transformation Program Advisory Committee, will include individuals from across the state and across sectors to consistently guide the funding provided by the Rural Health Transformation Program.”
For Washington’s nearly 800,000 rural residents, accessing timely care can be hindered by workforce shortages, limited provider options, and long travel distances. Barriers in care range from a lack of OB-GYN providers in nine counties to pharmacy deserts, and addressing the needs of our communities and ensuring they can access basic services and resources is a core component of Molina’s work.
The panel discussion was hosted by Dr. Jay Fathi, plan president of Molina Healthcare of Washington, with keynote remarks by Ryan Moran, director of the Washington State Health Care Authority. The panel was moderated by Melissa Luck, news director for 4 News Now KXLY in Spokane, Washington. Panelists included Shane McGuire, CEO of Columbia County Health System; Wendy Sisk, CEO of Peninsula Behavioral Health; and Washington state Representative Joe Schmick (WA-9).
“We are honored to work collaboratively with such great organizations to address gaps in care for Washington’s rural residents,” said Dr. Fathi. “Rural communities are not monolithic, and one-size fits all approaches do not apply. By strengthening cross-sector partnerships and efforts underway like the ones by our panelists, we can achieve better health care outcomes.”
During the event, panelists shared their perspectives on critical access hospitals, behavioral health services, and the drivers of health-related policies in the state government. The conversation ended with the panelists providing insights into what organizations must do to advance rural health care in the state.
The full panel discussion can be found here.
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About The MolinaCares Accord
Established by Molina Healthcare, Inc., The MolinaCares Accord oversees a community investment platform created to improve the health and well-being of disadvantaged populations by funding meaningful, measurable, and innovative programs and solutions that improve health, life, and living in local communities.
About Molina Healthcare of Washington
Molina Healthcare of Washington, Inc. provides government-funded, quality health care, serving members through Medicaid, Medicare, and Marketplace programs in Washington. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, provides managed health care services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs, and through state insurance marketplaces. For more information about Molina Healthcare of Washington, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.