MultiCare Health System and Samaritan Health Services Announce Affiliation, Creating $7.5 Billion Healthcare Network

MultiCare Health System and Samaritan Health Services have approved an affiliation that will create an 18-hospital system with combined revenues exceeding $7.5 billion. The deal, expected to close in mid-2026, marks MultiCare's expansion into Oregon and represents a significant development in the Pacific Northwest healthcare landscape.

Strategic Expansion and Investment

The affiliation will bring Samaritan's five community hospitals in Oregon's Benton, Lincoln, and Linn counties under the MultiCare umbrella, which currently operates 13 hospitals primarily in Washington and Idaho. This move gives Tacoma, Washington-based MultiCare its first acute care presence in Oregon.

MultiCare CEO Bill Robertson emphasized the alignment of the two organizations' missions, visions, and values, stating, "It will be our privilege to be a part of the communities Samaritan serves and we look forward to working together to support and advance health care in Oregon."

The deal includes a 10-year investment commitment focused on:

• Modernizing Samaritan's facilities
• Expanding the flagship Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center's inpatient capacity
• Adopting new technologies, including telehealth capabilities
• Growing primary and specialty care services
• Expanding MultiCare's behavioral health services into Samaritan's service area

Operational Structure and Community Impact

Under the agreement, Samaritan will maintain its local governance and community-based approach while benefiting from MultiCare's resources. Marty Cahill, President and CEO of Samaritan, highlighted the importance of this structure, saying, "Our commitment has always been to remain a community-based, mission-driven organization, and this partnership strengthens that promise for decades to come."

The organizations anticipate that the changes will improve care quality and access while helping to lower healthcare costs in the region. There are no immediate changes planned for Samaritan's patients, plan members, or employees as the affiliation process moves forward.

Financial Overview and Industry Context

The affiliation comes at a time when both organizations have faced financial challenges. In 2024, MultiCare reported total operating revenue of $5.9 billion but experienced a $116.5 million operating loss (-2.0% operating margin). Samaritan, with over $1.7 billion in revenue, reported a $93.6 million operating loss (-0.5% operating loss) for the same year.

This merger reflects a broader trend of consolidation in the healthcare industry, as providers seek to achieve economies of scale and improve financial stability. The combined entity will have a significant presence in the Pacific Northwest, with over 28,000 employees and a network of more than 380 care locations across Washington, Idaho, and Oregon.