Rep. Jim Walsh visits Willapa Harbor Hospital, will seek support for aging facility in state Legislature

By The Chronicle staff
Posted 1/15/25

State Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, met with CEO Matt Kempton at Willapa Harbor Hospital on Jan. 10.

Walsh toured the facilities and talked with staff, according to a news release from the …

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Rep. Jim Walsh visits Willapa Harbor Hospital, will seek support for aging facility in state Legislature

Posted

State Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, met with CEO Matt Kempton at Willapa Harbor Hospital on Jan. 10.

Walsh toured the facilities and talked with staff, according to a news release from the hospital.

“Modern medical care is imperative to the health of people in this community. We understand the current facilities are at the end of their useful life and will work to help with this hospital replacement project,” Walsh stated in the release.



The Washington state Legislature convened on Jan. 13. As members consider the state budget, Walsh said he will seek ways to support Willapa Harbor Hospital in replacing the current campus.

The hospital’s board and administration have been looking for ways to support construction costs for the replacement of the aged health care facility. Applications have been submitted to the United States Department of Agriculture, the Washington State Emergency Management Department and Federal Emergency Management Agency. Other funding sources are also being explored, including private foundation funding.

Constructed in the early 1950s, Willapa Harbor Hospital is the second oldest currently operating hospital in Washington state. It is the third hospital to be designated as a critical access hospital in the state. Willapa Harbor Hospital also operates a rural health clinic offering primary health care to individuals and families.