| scotus_overturns_roe_wsma_and_washington_state_law_primed_to_protect_patients | SCOTUS Overturns Roe: WSMA and Washington State Law Primed to Protect Patients | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2022/June_24/scotus_overturns_roe_wsma_and_washington_state_law_primed_to_protect_patients | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2022/june/us-supreme-court-sun-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="US Supreme Court building" /></div>
<h5>June 24, 2022</h5>
<h2>SCOTUS Overturns Roe: WSMA and Washington State Law Primed to Protect Patients</h2>
<p>
Today the U.S. Supreme Court released an opinion undercutting the longstanding legal precedent established by Roe v. Wade and the federal protections to legally obtain an abortion. While today's decision in <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/19-1392_6j37.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization</a> requires further analysis - and some impacts may take time to play out - it is important for WSMA members to be aware of where things stand in our state.
</p>
<p>
Washington state has strong laws in place that ensure abortion services will remain legal here regardless of the ruling, but other states may set their own abortion policies that could restrict or ban the procedure, as well as impacting access to other reproductive health care services. Abortion is health care, and based on WSMA policy we will advocate at both the state and federal levels to ensure that patients seeking abortions, clinicians performing them, and any individuals providing assistance will not incur undue liability under the laws of Washington state or other states.
</p>
<p>
The professional health care regulators of the state of Washington recognize that the Supreme Court's decision may raise practice concerns for physicians, physician assistants, and health care practitioners. In advance of today's ruling, last week the Washington State Medical Commission, Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission, and Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission released a set of <a href="https://wmc.wa.gov/news/wa-regulation-health-professionals-and-abortions-faq">frequently asked questions</a> to clarify how Washington regulators will continue to address practice matters related to abortion and reproductive care.
</p>
<p>
The FAQ includes:
</p>
<ul>
<li>What is the history of abortion laws in Washington state?</li>
<li>Will abortions remain legal in Washington state?</li>
<li>How do state regulators determine discipline and licensure if Roe v. Wade is overturned?</li>
<li>Who may perform an abortion in Washington state?</li>
<li>May a pharmacist dispense hormonal, non-hormonal, or emergency contraceptives in Washington State?</li>
</ul>
</div> | 6/24/2022 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| covid_19_vaccines_approved_for_kids_6_months_to_5_years | COVID-19 Vaccines Approved for Kids 6 Months to 5 Years | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2022/June_24/covid_19_vaccines_approved_for_kids_6_months_to_5_years | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2022/june/boy-with-mask-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="boy wearing mask" /></div>
<h5>June 24, 2022</h5>
<h2>COVID-19 Vaccines Approved for Kids 6 Months to 5 Years</h2>
<p>Following approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup on Sunday <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nklm7aMqcyNrOrxZ-19-fGy-8i2wkxp1/view">concluded</a> that the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for children as young as 6 months old, making the more than 380,000 children ages 6 months to 5 years in Washington eligible for vaccination. The authorization includes:</p>
<ul>
<li>A 3-dose Pfizer vaccine primary series for children ages 6 months - 4 years</li>
<li>A 2-dose Moderna vaccine primary series for children ages 6 months - 5 years</li>
</ul>
<p>During the rise of the omicron variant in late December 2021, infants and children ages 0-4 in the U.S. were hospitalized at approximately five times the rate of the previous peak resulting from the delta variant. Vaccination has continually shown to be the strongest measure to prevent serious disease and death caused by COVID-19.</p>
<p>While the Washington State Department of Health has indicated delays in initial supply from the federal government, they expect inventory to build over the coming days and weeks. Once you have the Pfizer and Moderna pediatric COVID-19 vaccines in stock, you may begin administering them to children ages 6 months and up.</p>
<p>The following resources are now available for physicians and clinicians vaccinating this age group:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/News and Publications/Newsletters/2022/baby-peds-june-16-update.pdf]">Washington State Department of Health COVID-19 Vaccination Plan for 6 months through 4 years</a> </li>
<li>Moderna <a href="https://www.fda.gov/media/159307/download">fact sheet</a></li>
<li>Pfizer <a href="https://www.fda.gov/media/159312/download">fact sheet</a> and <a href="https://www.fda.gov/media/159303/download">Dear Provider letter</a></li>
</ul>
<p>
If your practice is providing the new pediatric vaccine and experiences operational or administrative barriers, please email <a href="mailto:policy@wsma.org">policy@wsma.org</a> so that we may inform the Department of Health and other relevant state agencies.
</p>
<p>If your clinic is not yet enrolled in the federal COVID-19 Vaccination Program (enrollment is required to administer COVID-19 vaccines), learn more and enroll on the <a href="https://doh.wa.gov/emergencies/covid-19/healthcare-providers/vaccine-information-health-care-providers/federal-program-enrollment">DOH website</a>, and join the <a href="https://doh.wa.gov/emergencies/covid-19/vaccine-information/power-providers-initiative">Power of Providers Initiative</a> to help educate and empower your patients to get vaccinated. If your practice does not offer the vaccine and patients are asking where they can locate the vaccine for their child, direct them to the state's <a href="https://vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov/">vaccine locator</a>.</p>
<h3>WSMA-DOH COVID-19 Vaccines Webinar Series</h3>
<p>If you haven't already, it's time to embed the COVID-19 vaccine into routine preventive care in your practice. The WSMA has joined the Washington State Department of Health to host a new webinar series to help physician practices and clinics access the tools and information they need to incorporate the COVID-19 vaccines into their practice workflows and employ effective strategies to engage patients in conversations about the vaccine. The first session, focused on embedding vaccines into preventative care, is scheduled for Friday, July 29 from noon-1 p.m. <a href="[@]WSMA/Education/Upcoming_Webinars/WSMA/education/Upcoming_Webinars/Upcoming_Webinars.aspx?hkey=b760d6bd-1833-412d-b681-babf251792a8">Register online</a>.</p>
</div> | 6/23/2022 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| full_medicare_sequester_will_be_applied_on_july_1 | Full Medicare Sequester Will Be Applied on July 1 | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2022/June_24/full_medicare_sequester_will_be_applied_on_july_1 | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2022/june/medicare-barcode-645px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="Medicar barcode" /></div>
<h5>June 24, 2022</h5>
<h2>Full Medicare Sequester Will Be Applied on July 1</h2>
<p>On July 1, the full 2% Medicare sequester is set to <a href="https://www.cms.gov/outreach-and-educationoutreachffsprovpartprogprovider-partnership-email-archive/2021-12-16-mlnc?mkt_tok=MTQ0LUFNSi02MzkAAAGFL2zEkvuccEqvy2k2OvsN89iZ0tsbQcymMK8To_VHOY1-uWCm_LDX6Sdu5pYDL-sGFGxjLxZZIXedMVIwYgVPxwzg2w0rMKhNKhi74zV60g#_Toc90391082">phase-in</a>. Effective since 2013, the Medicare sequester was suspended early in the pandemic by The Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act along the following timeline:</p>
<ul>
<li>No payment adjustment through March 31, 2022</li>
<li>1% payment adjustment April 1 - June 30, 2022</li>
<li>2% payment adjustment beginning July 1, 2022</li>
</ul>
<p>Looking ahead to 2023, physicians are facing a combined 7-10% Medicare reimbursement cut. Earlier this year, the WSMA met with and <a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/News and Publications/Newsletters/2022/wsma-comment-federal-flexibilities-sen-murray.pdf]">sent letters</a>&nbsp;to every member of Washington state's congressional delegation noting "We are deeply alarmed about the growing financial instability of the Medicare and Medicaid physician payment systems due to a confluence of fiscal uncertainties physician practices face related to the ongoing pandemic, statutory payment cuts, lack of inflationary updates, and significant administrative barriers." The WSMA goes on to urge our members of Congress to make significant investments in the stability of the Medicare payment system.</p>
<p>The WSMA is also one of over 100 organizations to endorse the AMA's Medicare Payment Reform Principles. The <a href="https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/characteristics-rational-medicare-payment-principles-signatories.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Characteristics of a Rational Medicare Physician Payment System</a>, which, among other things, urges Congress to aim for simplicity, relevance, alignment, and predictability for physician practices and the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services.</p>
<p>Stay tuned for opportunities to engage with your congressional delegation in advance of 2023 to let them know that after several years of financial uncertainty caused by the pandemic, the expected Jan. 1, 2023 payment cuts would have devastating impact on practice viability and access to patient care.</p>
</div> | 6/23/2022 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |