Healthcare is a critical piece for most retirees. As we age we find ourselves at the doctors office a bit more often. Access to that care is not equal in all places. Smaller cities and rural areas often have more limited resources and routine care for older people may require long trips to the "city."
Southwest Washington has an abundance of healthcare options. Clark County in particular is rich with facilities and trips out of Clark County are rarely needed with a notable exception being Kaiser Permanente that has a few services only available Portland or at their Sunnyside (Clackamas) location. Vancouver has two large hospitals each with substantial cottage industry healthcare around them.
Peace Health Southwest Washington Medical Center on Mill Plain in the Heights is one of the regions largest and most comprehensive hospitals. Legacy Salmon Creek is the second largest hospital in Clark County and also has a wide range of services available with numerous doctors offices and clinics nearby.
Kaiser Permanente operates several clinics ranging from small to large in Clark County mostly in Vancouver. Vancouver Clinic has numerous facilities in Vancouver and around Clark County with a broad range of outpatient services. The VA operates a clinic and small hospital near Fort Vancouver for our veterans.
Local healthcare systems with a large presence in Clark County:
- Peace Health, based in Vancouver, WA. Closest hospital, SW Washington Medical Center, Vancouver. Local clinics 10+
- Legacy Health Care, based in Portland, OR. Closest hospital, Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital, Vancouver. Local clinics 10+
- Kaiser Permanente, based in Oakland, CA. Nearest hospital, Interstate Medical Center, Portland (Kaiser contracts with Legacy Salmon Creek for some care). Local clinics 6+
- Providence Health Care, based in Renton, WA. Nearest hospital, Providence Portland Medical Center, Portland, OR. Local clinics, 6+
- Vancouver Clinic, based in Vancouver, WA. Closest hospital N/A. Local clinics 10+
- Veterans Administration, based in Washington DC. Nearest hospital, Vancouver VA (limited services) Portland VA, Portland OR. Local clinics 3+
