| wsma-urges-congress-to-curb-ice-enforcement-uphold-health-standards-in-detention-facilities | WSMA Urges Congress to Curb ICE Enforcement, Uphold Health Standards in Detention Facilities | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2026/wsma-urges-congress-to-curb-ice-enforcement-uphold-health-standards-in-detention-facilities | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right"><img src="/images/Logos/Press-Release-Graphic-2019-Branding.png" class="pull-right" alt="WSMA press release logo" /></div>
<h5>Feb. 5, 2026</h5>
<h2>WSMA Urges Congress to Curb ICE Enforcement, Uphold Health Standards in Detention Facilities</h2>
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This morning, the president of the Washington State Medical Association, representing more than 13,500 physicians, resident physicians, physician assistants, and medical students in Washington state, issued the following statement in response to ongoing Congressional negotiations on potential changes to U.S. Department of Homeland Security enforcement activities.
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"Yesterday afternoon, Congress adopted a continuing resolution to fund the Department of Homeland Security through Feb. 13, a compromise intended to keep the government open while negotiations on potential changes to DHS enforcement activities are considered.
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"As they deliberate, we urge our elected representatives to act promptly to protect the health of our patients and our communities in the face of current Immigration and Customs Enforcement strategies.
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"First, we urge an immediate return to the previous restrictions on ICE and Customs and Border Protection activities in or near health care facilities and other sensitive locations, restrictions that were rescinded by executive order when President Donald Trump took office. These prior common-sense limitations preserved critical access to medical care without compromising legitimate enforcement activities.
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"Since these restrictions were rescinded, we have seen ICE enforcement activity in and near health care facilities and clinics here in Washington state and across the country. This activity is, understandably, having a negative impact on the welfare of patients. In a national survey of immigrants, nearly half of immigrant adults, a group that includes lawfully present immigrants and naturalized citizens, said that they or a family member had avoided seeking medical care since January 2025 due to fear of detention. This is concerning to us as a physician community."
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"Second, we urge Congress to act to codify medical standards for Department of Homeland Security detention and holding facilities and to conduct rigorous oversight to ensure that ICE and Customs and Border Protection are abiding by their policies on safe and sanitary conditions and access to medical care. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is accountable for providing detainees with appropriate medical care, food, water, and other basic human needs. Yet, a January 2026 report by the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office found that 'CBP developed policies and guidance for providing medical care to individuals in custody but has not consistently implemented them.' We are deeply troubled by recent reports that detainees at ICE facilities are experiencing inadequate sanitary conditions and are not receiving needed medical care or having basic human needs met, such as food and water.
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"While we urge Congress to act, physicians and health professionals in Washington state and across the country are not waiting. We have been responding to this unfolding crisis with our minds and hearts first and foremost on our patients, regardless of immigration status. Clinics and health centers have stepped up by trying to increase telemedicine visits to allay the fears of in-person confrontation. They are expanding home visits to meet our patients in their home and eliminate the fear of leaving the house for care. And we are educating our fellow health professionals about immigrants' policies and rights.
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"Now, we need our legislators to act. We are shocked, saddened, and in some cases, enraged, in response to the reports on the ground in Minnesota-including the killing of ICU nurse and Good Samaritan Alex Pretti-as well as from the constant drip of news of ICE enforcement in previously protected spaces like health settings. We ask Congress to act on these requests immediately for the sake of our country and all of its residents."
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For more information contact:
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Graham Short<br />
WSMA Director of Communications<br />
<a href="mailto:gfs@wsma.org">gfs@wsma.org</a> / 206.329.6851 cell/text</p>
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Interviews available upon request.
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<p>
<em>For WSMA's official letter to Washington state's congressional delegation, <a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/News and Publications/Press Room/letter-from-wsma-president-ice-and-cbp-enforcements-rep-randall.pdf]" target="_blank">click here</a>.</em></p>
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<em>For relevant WSMA policy, the following policies regarding the protection of patient access to care regardless of immigration status were passed by the WSMA House of Delegates in September of 2025:</em>
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<ul>
<li><em>The WSMA recognizes immigration enforcement and policy as a public health issue that negatively impacts access to care, trust in medical providers, and overall health outcomes.</em></li>
<li><em>The WSMA advocates for legal and policy protections that prohibit immigration enforcement actions within or targeting health care facilities and their data systems.</em></li>
<li><em>The WSMA supports expanded funding and infrastructure for telehealth services, especially for immigrant and undocumented communities, as a means of improving access and minimizing risk of exposure to enforcement activities.</em></li>
<li><em>The WSMA encourages education for medical providers and staff on patient privacy rights, emergency preparedness in the face of enforcement actions, and culturally safe communication with immigrant patients.</em></li>
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<p>
<strong>About the Washington State Medical Association</strong>
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The WSMA represents more than 13,500 physicians, resident physicians, physician assistants, and medical students across all specialties and practice types in Washington state. The WSMA has advocated on behalf of the house of medicine for more than 135 years. Our vision is to make Washington state the best place to practice medicine and receive care.
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&nbsp;</div> | 2/5/2026 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| 2026-legislative-session-update-week-of-feb-2 | 2026 Legislative Session Update: Week of Feb. 2 | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Latest_News/2026/2026-legislative-session-update-week-of-feb-2 | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://vimeo.com/1160353594"><img src="/images/Newsletters/latest-news/2026/february/leg-update-video-2-2-26.png" alt="WSMA Legislative Update: Week of Feb. 2, 2026" /></a></div>
<h5>February 2, 2026</h5>
<h2>2026 Legislative Session Update: Week of Feb. 2 - Members Advocate for the Profession and Patients at the Capitol</h2>
<p>WSMA President Bridget Bush, MD, FASA, brings you an update from the Washington State Capitol with a recap of last week's WSMA Legislative Summit, an overview of the issues that attendees addressed with their legislators, and a thank you to everyone who attended this yearly physician advocacy event. <a href="https://vimeo.com/1160353594">Watch the video here</a>.</p>
</div> | 2/2/2026 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| wsma-members-at-the-capitol-a-recap-of-the-2026-legislative-summit | WSMA Members at the Capitol: A Recap of the 2026 Legislative Summit | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/advocacy-report/2026/January 29/wsma-members-at-the-capitol-a-recap-of-the-2026-legislative-summit | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/advocacy-report/2026/january/029-Venticinque_260128_4768-straightened.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="Dr. Bridget Bush shaking hands with Gov. Bob Ferguson" /></div>
<h5>Jan. 29, 2026</h5>
<h2>WSMA Members at the Capitol: A Recap of the 2026 Legislative Summit</h2>
<p><em>WSMA members make their voices heard at sold-out event</em>
</p>
<p>WSMA member physicians, physician assistants, residents, and medical students converged at the state Capitol in Olympia this week for WSMA's annual Legislative Summit. This year's Summit was a sold-out event, reaching room capacity within two months of announcing registration—a first for the WSMA and a strong sign of the interest in WSMA members for hands-on engagement in legislative advocacy.</p>
<p>The Columbia Room at the Capitol filled quickly with members ready to hear from several of our state's health care leaders and from WSMA's government affairs team on our priority issues for this session, including preserving physician practices and patients' access to care; defending against inappropriate scope of practice expansions; medical title transparency; and preserving access to preventive services, including vaccines.</p>
<p>WSMA President Bridget Bush, MD, FASA, kicked off the morning with a welcome message, followed by WSMA Senior Director of Government Affairs and Policy Sean Graham for the dos and don'ts of meeting with legislators.</p>
<p>Up next, Washington state's new Secretary of Health Dennis Worsham talked about his journey from growing up in the small town of Othello, Washington, to a long career in public health before being appointed as our state's top health officer. He emphasized the Department of Health's commitment to data integrity, preserving access to vaccines, and strengthening population health. He highlighted the importance of physician advocacy, saying, "The ability to have a policy affect the entire state and larger populations is really important, and it's great that you all do your individual practices and services directly to people you care for, but also, I'm grateful that you are stepping into this larger arena that sets policies and practices that have a greater impact across our systems to make sure that we are affordable and accessible for those people who need those services and our preventative services."</p>
<p>Dr. Bush then handed the microphone to the morning's surprise guest, Gov. Bob Ferguson, who similarly emphasized the state's commitment to making public health decisions based on science, highlighting the formation of the West Coast Health Alliance, and acknowledging the budget challenges the state is facing as a result of H.R. 1., federal legislation passed last summer that includes more than $1 trillion in cuts to health care. In closing, he said, "I appreciate the partnership for all you do for Washingtonians and I hope you have a really wonderful day here at the Capitol."</p>
<p>After a full morning, members braved the rainy weather to pose for our annual "white coat" photo on the steps of the Capitol, then headed back to the Columbia Room for a box lunch before our last presentation of the day—a Q&amp;A with legislators Rep. Dan Bronoske, Sen. Ron Muzzall, and Rep. Joe Schmick, three out of four heads of our Legislature's health care committees, who thoughtfully answered member questions.</p>
<p>Members then disbursed throughout the Capitol campus to attend meetings with legislators from their districts, bringing front-line advocacy home to lawmakers.</p>
<p>Those of you who weren't able to attend the sold-out event, keep an eye out for more opportunities for engagement this session through our weekly session update videos, calls to action, and opportunities to testify in public hearings. For year-round advocacy opportunities, visit wsma.org and look under <a href="https://wsma.org/wsma/advocacy/wsma/advocacy/advocacy.aspx">Advocacy</a> and <a href="https://wsma.org/wsma/advocacy/physician_advocacy/physician-advocacy.aspx">Physician Advocacy</a> for ways to engage.</p>
<p>Thank you to everyone who attended this year's event! We'll share the date for the 2027 Summit as soon as it's available.</p>
</div> | 1/29/2026 4:53:46 PM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |