Washington State has one of the most robust healthcare systems in the Pacific Northwest, serving approximately 7.8 million residents. The Seattle metropolitan area is home to world-class medical institutions, including UW Medicine (University of Washington Medicine) — which operates UW Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center (the region's only Level I Trauma Center), and several other facilities — and Seattle Children's Hospital, consistently ranked among the top children's hospitals in the nation. Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and Providence Health & Services are major regional health systems serving the greater Seattle area.
Eastern Washington, centered on Spokane, is served by Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and MultiCare Health System. The state's rural areas, particularly in eastern Washington and the Olympic Peninsula, face significant provider shortages and rely on telehealth and community health centers.
Washington expanded Medicaid in 2014 through Apple Health (Washington Medicaid), which now covers approximately 2.3 million residents — nearly 30% of the state's population. The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) (hca.wa.gov) administers Apple Health. The Washington Medical Commission (wmc.wa.gov) handles physician licensing.