Kaiser Permanente has reduced the operating hours of its urgent care clinic in Silverdale to 7 a. m. to 8 p. m. daily, leaving residents with fewer options for in-network medical care during evenings and early mornings.

As the only Kaiser clinic in Kitsap County, this change necessitates travel to Tacoma for those needing urgent services outside of standard hours. Local residents, including Bainbridge Island residents Su Beecham and George Lewis, have expressed discontent, labeling the reduction in hours as a significant loss and urging community members to seek care in Tacoma instead. This decision follows a premium increase earlier in the year, with residents like Theresa Nakagawa highlighting the inconsistency of reducing services while raising costs. Urgent care facilities are essential for managing non-life-threatening ailments, and this limitation could strain local healthcare access. Kaiser’s policy of not reimbursing members for out-of-network care exacerbates the issue, placing the financial burden solely on patients.

As community members navigate these changes, concerns about healthcare accessibility in Kitsap County continue to grow. Kaiser Washington has not provided a public comment addressing the issue.