Home About Samaritan Our Organization Samaritan & MultiCare Affiliation
Plans are underway for Samaritan Health Services to affiliate with MultiCare Health System, a highly respected, mission-driven organization based out of Tacoma, Washington.
The affiliation, which is expected to be finalized in the spring or summer of 2026 — pending state and federal regulatory approval — will enable Samaritan to remain a locally governed, community-based health system while gaining access to new resources and expertise.
As part of the agreement, MultiCare has committed to invest resources over the next 10 years to modernize Samaritan’s facilities, grow primary and specialty care, and introduce new technologies and telehealth capabilities that improve access, patient experience and help lower the cost of care. This investment also includes plans to expand Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, adding inpatient capacity and ensuring the region’s growing population has continued access to local hospital care. The affiliation will also bring MultiCare’s leading behavioral health network – the largest in Washington – into Samaritan’s service area, increasing access across the mid-Willamette Valley and central coast.
Through this affiliation, Samaritan, including its hospitals, clinics and health plans, will serve as MultiCare’s first health system in Oregon and bring the first health plans and critical access hospitals into the MultiCare system.
To meet the needs of our communities, we must be able to expand services, modernize facilities and recruit more clinicians.
We need improved tools and spaces for our talented team of caregivers to deliver the very best care — from ensuring patients can see a clinician close to home to reducing wait times or investing in programs that help people stay healthy.
This is not the first time we’ve taken bold action to secure our future. Nearly 30 years ago, Lebanon Community Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis joined together to form Samaritan Health Services. What began as two hospitals has grown into the five-hospital integrated delivery system we are today. This affiliation is the next evolution of that journey — ensuring we will not only survive, but thrive, and continue serving our communities for generations to come.
This is a historic moment for Samaritan, and together with MultiCare we are ensuring a stronger, healthier future for the people and communities we serve.
We are proud to continue serving our community and are excited about what this affiliation means for the future of health care in our region. Together, we will provide even greater access to the excellent clinical care for which Samaritan is known.
It’s important to note that our affiliation with MultiCare does not change anything for our patients today. Samaritan Health Services patients can continue to see the same providers they know and trust.
What will stay the same:
The affiliation doesn’t change our team’s commitment to provide compassionate, high-quality care to each and every patient. The dedication, expertise and compassion of Samaritan employees are a key part of what makes Samaritan so special.
Samaritan and MultiCare share strong alignment in structure, culture and commitment to community. Both organizations are:
This affiliation is about strengthening health care in our region – while giving our teams new tools and resources to provide high-value care. Samaritan will remain a locally governed, community-based health system while gaining access to new resources, technology and expertise.
MultiCare has grown over their 140-year history through affiliations like ours into a system with more than 28,000 employees, with 13 hospitals in Washington, supported by more than 300 clinics and care locations across the Pacific Northwest. They are nationally recognized for their expertise in population health and operate the region’s largest behavioral health network.
Samaritan is a nonprofit regional health system that brings together five community hospitals, more than 80 physician clinics and multiple health insurance plans to serve more than 280,000 residents in Oregon’s Benton, Lincoln and Linn counties. Samaritan employs more than 5,000 employees, including 620 clinicians, and is governed by a volunteer board made up of community members.
Nothing is changing today; daily operations will remain the same. We remain committed to our number one priority: providing our patients and members with compassionate, high-quality service.
Samaritan and MultiCare will sign the formal affiliation agreement, paving the way for Samaritan to become part of MultiCare. The two organizations will be taking the steps needed to bring the affiliation to completion — including seeking necessary state and federal regulatory approvals — which is expected to occur in the spring or summer of 2026 followed by a period of integration before we are fully operating as one system. This is a historic moment for Samaritan, and together with MultiCare we are ensuring a stronger, healthier future for the people and communities we serve.
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Below you can find some answers to questions that may be on your mind.
What led to this decision?
To meet the growing health care needs of our communities, Samaritan must continue to evolve. That means expanding services, modernizing facilities and recruiting more clinicians. We need the tools, technology and spaces that allow our teams to deliver the very best care — whether that’s ensuring patients can see a clinician close to home, reducing wait times or expanding preventive programs that help people stay healthy.
How was this decision made?
Samaritan’s Board of Directors and senior leadership undertook a thoughtful and comprehensive evaluation process, guided by an independent consultant specializing in nonprofit health care. This process explored a full range of options — including remaining independent — to ensure Samaritan can strengthen and grow its mission for generations to come.
What criteria were used to select MultiCare?
The Board identified clear objectives for any potential affiliation: Strengthen Samaritan’s role as the region’s trusted provider, partner and employer of choice; Expand access, improve quality and promote health equity; Maintain local governance and community-based decision making; Find a strong cultural and strategic fit; Secure the capital necessary to modernize facilities and support future growth.
Why are MultiCare and Samaritan a good fit?
Both Samaritan and MultiCare are nonprofit, locally governed, mission-driven organizations with deep commitments to community-based care. Our shared values — including a focus on health equity, quality and population health — make this an ideal partnership. From our first conversations, it was clear that our missions and cultures align closely.
Were other organizations considered?
Yes. Samaritan evaluated several potential partners using defined criteria, including mission alignment, community commitment and long-term sustainability. MultiCare emerged as the strongest match for Samaritan’s values, strategy and vision for the future.
What happens next?
Samaritan and MultiCare will submit their joint application and sign a definitive agreement. The definitive agreement is the legal document that finalizes the terms of the affiliation, to which each organization’s board of directors has already agreed. Once submitted, the affiliation will require review and approval from state and federal regulators. After those reviews and the closing of the transaction, we will begin integration planning.
How long will the affiliation process take?
The process will take many months. We anticipate receiving regulatory approvals in the spring or summer of 2026, which will be followed by an integration period before we are operating as one system.
Will Samaritan change its name?
The agreement allows us to continue to use our name and logo, with MultiCare’s logo added as the supporting logo.
Is there a possibility that the affiliation will not be finalized?
Both Samaritan and MultiCare are committed to this partnership and optimistic about the path forward. However, the process includes multiple steps and approvals. Until those are complete, the affiliation is not final.
If the affiliation is not finalized, how will Samaritan move forward?
Over the past year, Samaritan has made significant progress improving access, strengthening operations and stabilizing finances. That progress continues to position us well. Should there be a delay or change in the affiliation process, we will remain focused on sustainability and advancing our mission of building healthier communities together.
