Bill that would regulate hospital mergers in Washington passes Senate, may join other legislation protecting abortion access

Along with Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates of Washington, a number of local organizations sent representatives to testify at Wednesday’s hearing in favor of the proposal.

Justin Gill works as an urgent care nurse practitioner at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett. Gill is the president of the Washington State Nurses Association, an organization advocating for more than 20,000 nurses . Gill said the organization he leads supports the proposal.

“I’ve seen the direct impacts on care access and decreased options for my patients,” Gill testified. “Unchecked health care consolidations are problematic. When hospitals consolidate, we as nurses have seen decisions go from the hands of health care experts to oftentimes far-removed executives that might prioritize profits over patient care.”