11 of the 193 Medicare-certified nursing homes in Washington (6%) are government-run, and all are listed below. They average 6.77 nursing hours per resident per day, 2.41 hours above the 4.36 for every home in Washington. 6 of the 11 graded homes earn an A and 0 earn a D or F. Columbia Basin Hospital in Ephrata grades highest at A (94 out of 100).
How government-run homes in Washington compare
This group set against every nursing home in Washington, from the current CMS release.
Nursing hours per resident per day
6.77
All homes in Washington: 4.36
Better than the local average
Nurse staff turnover
42.3%
All homes in Washington: 45.1%
Better than the local average
Average ElderGrade score
81.7/100
All homes in Washington: 77.1/100
Better than the local average
Grade spread
A
B
C
6 grade A, 2 grade B, 3 grade C,
The best-graded government-run home in Washington is
Columbia Basin Hospital
in Ephrata, WA, grade A, 94/100.
The state-run veterans home in Walla Walla staffs at 6.41 nurse hours per resident day, about two-thirds more than the national average, and its workforce is unusually stable for this industry, 22.8% turnover against a national rate near 46%. Weekend coverage dips roughly 10% below weekday levels, so ask how that plays out on a Sunday. The tradeoff shows up in its record: 26 deficiencies, including one at the harm level and three tied to abuse, plus a $15,935 fine. Inspectors were last in on February 27, 2026. Strong staffing and recent, decent inspections, but read the abuse-related findings yourself before deciding.
Columbia Basin Hospital is a small county-run home in Ephrata, just 12 beds, and the nurse staffing number is genuinely high: 5.22 hours per resident day, roughly a third more than the national average. Turnover sits at 31.3%, well under the 45.8% national figure, and weekend coverage barely dips from weekday levels.
The complication is its record. Thirty-one deficiencies are on file, including six tied to abuse, though none reached the harm or jeopardy level, and the last inspection was recent. CMS also rates its staffing at just 1 out of 5 stars, which sits oddly beside the hours reported. If you're considering it, ask directly about those six abuse-related findings and how the staffing star got so low when the hours look strong.
Spokane Veterans Home runs on state money and 100 certified beds, and the numbers put it in decent shape. Nurse staffing sits at 4.02 hours per resident day, about 4% above the national average, though weekends run roughly 10% thinner than weekdays, worth asking about if your family visits then. Staff turnover is 34.8%, well under the national 45.8%, which matters because consistent caregivers notice changes sooner. The inspection record is where it gets more mixed: 48 deficiencies on file, including one at harm or jeopardy level and four tied to abuse, with the last inspection in March 2025. High star ratings across inspections and quality measures don't erase those specifics.
Fircrest is state-owned and sits at 110 beds in Seattle, and the staffing number is the part that stands out: 9.32 nurse hours per resident day, roughly two and a half times the national average. Weekend coverage slips about 5% below weekday levels, which is mild compared to most homes. Turnover runs 50.5%, a bit above the 45.8% national figure, so you'll want to ask how they hold onto direct-care staff. The inspection record shows 36 deficiencies, none at harm or jeopardy level, though two are abuse-related, worth asking about directly. State surveyors were last in on November 7, 2025, so the record is recent.
North Valley Hospital runs on 4.67 nurse hours per resident day, roughly a fifth more than the national average, and its staff turnover of 41.2% sits below the national rate. Inspectors have cited 20 deficiencies, though none rose to harm or jeopardy and none involved abuse, and the home was last inspected in February 2026. Weekend staffing dips about 12% from weekday levels, and its quality measure rating of 2 out of 5 is the weak spot against 5s for inspection and staffing. It's a hospital-district owned home of 42 beds, small enough to know its residents, and the numbers suggest the hands-on care is there even where the clinical outcomes data isn't.
Washington Soldiers Home runs on state government ownership, and the numbers show a facility that's mostly steady on care quality but carries some real inspection baggage. Nurse staffing sits at 4.27 hours per resident day, roughly 11% above the national average, though weekends run about 11% lighter than weekdays, worth asking about if your family visits or calls on Saturdays and Sundays. Staff turnover lands at 40.7%, a bit better than the 45.8% national figure, which suggests a relatively stable workforce. The concern is the inspection record: 31 deficiencies, including 2 at the harm level and 4 tied to abuse, with one fine of $10,358. The most recent inspection was August 2025, so the picture is current.
Colville Tribal Convalescent C runs a federal facility in Nespelem with 44 certified beds, and the raw staffing number looks strong, 4.71 nurse hours per resident day, roughly 22% above the national average of 3.86. The catch is consistency: weekends drop about 10% below the home's own weekday level, and annual turnover sits at 61% against a national 45.8%, which is a lot of churn for a small census to absorb. Inspections in April 2025 produced a 4-star health rating, but the record holds 19 deficiencies, including one at harm or jeopardy level and one abuse-related, plus a single fine of $8,173.
Washington Veteran Home-Retsil runs 240 certified beds as a state-run home, and its staffing sits just barely above the national average, about 1% higher per resident day, with weekends running roughly 9% thinner than weekdays. Turnover lands at 45.1%, nearly matching the 45.8% national figure, so retention isn't the standout problem here. The inspection record is: 59 deficiencies, including one at the harm or jeopardy level and six tied to abuse, plus a $23,920 fine, and the most recent health inspection dates to May 2026. CMS gives it two stars for health inspections but five for staffing and four for quality measures, which is the tension worth sitting with.
McKay Healthcare & Rehab Center is a small hospital-district home in Soap Lake, and its day-to-day staffing looks solid on paper, 4.29 total nurse hours per resident, roughly 11% above the national average. But that average hides two things worth asking about: weekends run about 14% thinner than weekdays, and annual turnover sits at 72.9%, well above the national 45.8%. A recent inspection in March 2025 and a four-star health inspection rating are genuine positives, but the current record carries 40 deficiencies, including one at the harm level and five tied to abuse, plus a $113,505 fine. Good inspections, but the staffing churn is the number I'd press them on.
Yakima Valley School is a state-run home in Selah with 112 beds, and its staffing is the headline: 16.60 nurse hours per resident day against a national average of 3.86. That's a different category of coverage than most families ever see, and turnover sits at 32.2% versus 45.8% nationally. Weekend staffing dips about 8% below its own weekday level, so the floor is thinner on Saturdays and Sundays even here. The inspection record is where it gets harder. Thirty-four deficiencies, four at harm or jeopardy level, eight abuse-related, and a 2/5 inspection rating, with the most recent survey dated May 2026. High staffing and a troubled regulatory history can both be true. Ask what those abuse deficiencies specifically involved.
Lakeland Village runs on state funding and employs nurses at a rate nearly triple the national average, 11.12 hours per resident day against 3.86. Weekend coverage dips only slightly, about 7% below weekdays, and turnover sits at 32.6%, well under the 45.8% national figure. That's genuinely strong staffing. The problem is what inspections keep finding: 26 deficiencies on the current record, including one at the harm or jeopardy level and 10 tied to abuse. Its last inspection was October 27, 2025, so the picture is current, not stale. High nurse hours don't cancel out harm-level findings, a C grade reflects a home where the caregiving capacity is real but the safety record isn't.
Frequently asked questions
How many government-run nursing homes are there in Washington?
There are 11 government-run Medicare-certified nursing homes in Washington, 6% of the 193 nursing homes there.
Are government-run nursing homes better staffed?
In Washington they average 6.77 total nursing hours per resident per day, against 4.36 for all nursing homes in Washington, a difference of +2.41 hours. Staff turnover averages 42.3% against 45.1%.
Which government-run nursing home grades best in Washington?