| ceo-rounds-may-22-2026-member-feedback-and-engagement-drive-our-work-here-are-two-opportunities | CEO Rounds: May 22, 2026 - Member Feedback and Engagement Drive Our Work. Here Are Two Opportunities | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/ceo-rounds/2026/ceo-rounds-may-22-2026-member-feedback-and-engagement-drive-our-work-here-are-two-opportunities | <div class="col-md-12">
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<img src="https://wsma.org/images/Newsletters/ceo-rounds/ceo-rounds-article-graphic-2025-1290x850px.png" class="pull-right" alt="CEO Rounds with Jennifer Hanscom, WSMA CEO graphic" />
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<h5>
Apr. 24, 2026
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<h2>
Member Feedback and Engagement Drive Our Work. Here Are Two Opportunities.
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<p>
Jennifer Hanscom, WSMA CEO
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<p>
This past weekend in Chelan, WSMA members gathered for our annual Leadership Development Conference. While attendance was smaller than in years past, the energy and engagement in the room were strong, with a shared focus on advocating for our patients and our profession.
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As always, some of the most meaningful moments happened between the learning sessions in casual hallway conversations. Members bonded over questions of how we can continue to connect and collaborate better, and how to effectively speak up on the issues that matter most to medicine and the patients we serve.
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<p>
As a physician-led, patient-focused organization, the WSMA wants to hear directly from you. Member feedback helps shape our advocacy priorities, member programs, and the support we provide to physicians of all specialties and practice types across Washington.
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<p>
Please take a few minutes to complete the WSMA member survey <strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FC2ZWDP">by clicking here</a></strong>. Your input will help us better serve you, your profession, and your patients.
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<p>
A few things to know:
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<ul>
<li>All questions are optional, and every response is valuable.</li>
<li>Your feedback will help guide WSMA's future direction and ensure we continue providing meaningful support to members.</li>
<li>Thank you in advance for sharing your perspective.</li>
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<h3>
Looking Ahead: WSMA Annual Meeting of the House of Delegates
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<p>
With the Leadership Development Conference behind us, WSMA now turns its attention to our annual policy-setting meeting: the <strong><a href="https://www.wsma.org/wsma/events/annual_meeting/wsma/events/annual_meeting/annual_meeting.aspx">Annual Meeting of the WSMA House of Delegates</a></strong>, taking place Sept. 26-27 at the Historic Davenport in Spokane.
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At the center of the House of Delegates process are resolutions, proposals that guide WSMA policy. Much like bills introduced in the Legislature, resolutions identify actions the WSMA should take or policies the association should adopt.
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<p>
Only delegates to the House or a member of the WSMA board of trustees may submit resolutions, but we can help any WSMA member connect to a delegate or board member to advance their resolution idea.
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<h3>
New for 2026: Online Resolution Submission
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<p>
Delegates are now required to submit resolutions through a new online submission form designed to modernize and streamline the process.
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<ul>
<li>Use the <strong><a href="https://wsma.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0xMjM2MzM4NCZwPTEmdT0xMTY4NjUwMjEzJmxpPTEyMjA3MDIxMQ/index.html">WSMA Resolution Submittal Form</a></strong> to submit a resolution for the 2026 House of Delegates meeting.</li>
<li>Learn more about how to write, format, and find sponsors for your resolution <strong><a href="https://www.wsma.org/wsma/events/annual_meeting/how_to_write_a_resolution/wsma/events/annual_meeting/How_to_Write_a_Resolution/how_to_write_a_resolution.aspx">here</a></strong>.</li>
<li>The deadline for submitting resolutions is <strong>Aug. 27</strong>.</li>
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<h3>
How Resolutions Are Debated, Refined, and Acted on
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<p>
Here's a quick overview of how resolutions are reviewed and debated:
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<ul>
<li>Resolutions submitted to the House of Delegates are first reviewed by reference committees. Similar to legislative committees, reference committees allow for guided discussion and refinement of resolutions. The House of Delegates features two reference committees, Reference Committee B and Reference Committee C. The work of each committee is guided by a three-member team of volunteer WSMA members familiar with the House of Delegates.</li>
<li>The reference committees will now use testimony submitted through the <strong><a href="https://www.wsma.org/wsma/events/annual_meeting/virtual-reference-committees/wsma/events/annual_meeting/virtual-reference-committees.aspx">virtual reference committees</a></strong> in the run-up to the WSMA Annual Meeting to draft preliminary reports prior to the meeting. All WSMA members are encouraged to visit the virtual reference committees to review resolutions and provide testimony in the months prior to the meeting.</li>
<li>These preliminary reports will be presented during the live, in-person reference committee sessions on Sept. 26 at the meeting.</li>
<li>Delegates will still be able to pull items from the consent calendar for discussion, debate, and amendment during the in-person reference committee sessions.</li>
<li>Revised reference committee reports will then be considered by the full House on Sunday, Sept. 27, with the same opportunities for discussion and deliberation.</li>
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<h3>
Why These Changes?
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<p>
These updates are designed to:
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<ul>
<li>Increase accessibility for members who cannot attend in person due to work, family, or other obligations.</li>
<li>Streamline the House's work by providing committee reports in advance.</li>
<li>Give delegates more time to review and consider policy proposals.</li>
<li>Allow additional time for county societies, specialty societies, and special sections to caucus on preliminary reports.</li>
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<h3>
Interested in Serving as a Delegate?
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<p>
If you are interested in serving as a delegate to the WSMA Annual Meeting, please contact your local county medical society or state specialty society. Delegate seats are apportioned among county societies, specialty societies, and the WSMA board of trustees.
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<p>
You can also learn more about delegate responsibilities and apportionment through the <strong><a href="https://www.wsma.org/wsma/about_us/who_we_are/house-of-delegates/wsma/about/who_we_are/house-of-delegates.aspx">House of Delegates information page</a></strong>.
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<p>
Whether you are a regular or a first timer, I hope to see you this September at the Historic Davenport in downtown Spokane. Thank you for your continued commitment to patient care and to the WSMA. Your engagement, ideas, and participation help shape the future of our profession and strengthen the support we provide to physicians and the patients they serve.
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</div> | 5/22/2026 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| next-steps-on-state-income-tax-on-millionaires | Next Steps on State Income Tax on Millionaires | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/advocacy-report/2026/May 15/next-steps-on-state-income-tax-on-millionaires | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>May 15, 2026</h5>
<h2>Next Steps on State Income Tax on Millionaires</h2>
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A proposal to establish a state income tax on millionaires was the most contentious and consequential bill considered during the 2026 session. The <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=6346&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false">bill</a> has been signed into law, but several hurdles remain before it can be implemented.
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Last month a lawsuit led by former state Attorney General Rob McKenna was <a href="https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/former-ag-rob-mckenna-files-lawsuit-overturn-was-new-income-tax/BOR4XN7TTVBN3BCESBWNQKWD6E/?tbref=hp">filed</a>, challenging the legality of the new tax. The lawsuit focuses on a provision of the state constitution that requires property to be taxed at a uniform rate, arguing that income is property and the tax is not applied uniformly. The case is ultimately expected to be taken up and decided by the state Supreme Court.
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Meanwhile, opponents of the law are also mounting an effort to allow the state's voters to weigh in on the tax. Earlier this week, the conservative political committee Let's Go Washington, which is the point group for several recent and pending ballot measures, filed an <a href="https://voter.votewa.gov/Petitions/GetPetitionFile.aspx?f=1117&amp;t=FB3188B2-C3F2-4F03-BCFF-023EEE285127">initiative</a> with the Secretary of State's office. If sufficient signatures are collected in support of the initiative, it will appear on the November ballot.
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Assuming the tax withstands legal and political challenges, the governor's budget office has <a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAGOV/bulletins/414ef34?emci=e453f949-fa43-f111-8ef2-000d3a14b640&amp;emdi=ee7e32f9-5846-f111-8ef2-000d3a14b640&amp;ceid=75533">released</a> updated projections of how much revenue it will bring into the state. Last week the Office of Financial Management released data showing that the net effect of the income tax will be around $2.5 billion annually once sales tax reductions that are part of the law are taken into account.
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That would be a considerable influx of revenue, amounting to around 6% of the state's annual operating budget. But it's important to note that the "maintenance level" of the state's budget, accounting for expected growth in existing programs, is anticipated to grow at a similar rate. This means there would be limited opportunity for new spending and programs tied to the implementation of a state income tax, in the absence of other changes to spending and revenue.
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</div> | 5/15/2026 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| food-security-takes-center-stage-new-wsma-partnership-webinars-resources-more | Food Security Takes Center Stage: New WSMA Partnership, Webinars, Resources, More | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2026/May 8/food-security-takes-center-stage-new-wsma-partnership-webinars-resources-more | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>May 8, 2026</h5>
<h2>Food Security Takes Center Stage: New WSMA Partnership, Webinars, Resources, More</h2>
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Through a new grant-driven initiative, the WSMA Foundation is offering resources related to screening for nutrition-related social drivers of health for primary care offices and hosting a webinar series focusing on different aspects of nutrition access and social need.</p>
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<strong>Take our 1-minute needs assessment survey</strong>
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Spare just a moment to take a brief survey on current practices and needs related to screening and addressing social determinants of health, with a focus on food access, to help inform our work. <a href="https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=CgN5_wMfNU66xEvN3PBcAIykZJcvBX5FvDCpb_M6NjJUQUNCOTVZMVRQU1E4OVZYQUxSVU4zQzMwNC4u&amp;route=shorturl">Take the survey</a>.
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<strong>Incorporating food security screening into your practice workflow</strong>
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The WSMA has partnered with <a href="https://helpmegrowwa.org">Help Me Grow WA</a> to support primary care practices with food security screening. <a href="https://helpmegrowwa.org">Help Me Grow WA</a> provides no-cost resource navigation to all families and caregivers in Washington state. Help Me Grow can support adopting workflows within organizations to screen for and connect families to state and local food resources. Help Me Grow can also explore a comprehensive approach to addressing social needs, including food, health care, child development, and family stability.
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<p>
Anyone interested in incorporating <a href="https://helpmegrowwa.org">Help Me Grow WA</a> resources into their workflow can email WSMA Associate Director of Quality and Leadership Programs Monica Salgaonkar at <a href="mailto:monica@wsma.org">monica@wsma.org</a>.
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<p>
<strong>New webinar series: Beyond the Exam Room: Physician-Led Approaches to Food Access and Social Needs</strong>
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The WSMA Foundation is pleased to announce a new monthly webinar series dedicated to practical conversations and tools on food security screening and other social determinants of health. The webinars will take place on the second Monday of every month from noon-1 p.m. starting in June and running through October 2026. Details and registration will be available soon. For now, save the dates!
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</div> | 5/8/2026 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |