Washington‑based Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic announced it will cease providing prenatal, postnatal and delivery services at its Salud Medical Clinic in Woodburn and at the Lancaster Family Health clinic in Salem, with the shutdown slated for February. The decision impacts hundreds of pregnant women in Marion County who rely on the safety‑net provider, many of whom are immigrants or seasonal farm workers.
According to Salem Reporter, the clinic’s maternity program has been a critical source of care for low‑income families, offering both obstetric and general primary services. The announcement has prompted alarm among local health‑care providers, who describe the move as “devastating” and “short‑sighted.”
A comment posted on the Salem Reporter article noted that obstetric care comprised only a minority of the physicians’ workload, with most time devoted to general primary care. The commenter argued that the clinic did not offer providers the option to shift to full‑time primary care without obstetrics, a change that could have retained experienced physicians and expanded primary‑care capacity.
The comment also highlighted staffing concerns: five physicians were reportedly terminated, and only one physician vacancy remains open, while four physician‑assistant positions are advertised. The commentator suggested that the fired physicians would not be eligible for the assistant roles, potentially leading to a transition from seasoned doctors to newly graduated physician assistants.
Eight thousand patients at the Salud Medical Clinic are expected to lose continuity with the providers they have known for years, according to the same comment. Those patients may need to establish new relationships with less‑experienced staff, raising worries about the quality and consistency of care.Local health officials have not yet released an official response to the clinic’s plan. Community advocates are urging the clinic and local authorities to explore alternatives that would preserve maternity services for the affected population.
What’s next: The cessation of maternity services is scheduled for February. Residents seeking obstetric care are advised to contact other local health‑care providers promptly to arrange appointments. The clinic has not announced any replacement programs or timelines for restoring services.
Sources: salemreporter.com
