An economic crunch will force Seattle Children’s hospital to close its after-hours clinic in Seattle. However, the organization’s Bellevue clinic will remain open.

The change in Seattle reflects the fact that more pediatric practices are offering evening appointments, a reflection of the trend of two working parents, according to Dr. Sanford “Sandy” Melzer, the hospital’s senior vice president for strategic planning and business development.

Melzer also said that Children’s is facing increasing economic pressures from more children receiving charity care and lower reimbursement from Medicaid.

Half of Children’s patient care is reimbursed by Medicaid, Melzer said.

The Bellevue clinic is located at 1135 116th Ave. N.E., Suite 400, on the Overlake Hospital campus. This fall it will move to Children’s new outpaitient facility now under construction two blocks to the north.