| call_to_action_say_no_to_proposed_license_renewal_fee_increase | Call to action! Say no to proposed license renewal fee increase | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Latest_News/2019/January/call_to_action_say_no_to_proposed_license_renewal_fee_increase | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>January 15, 2019</h5>
<h2>Call to action! Say no to proposed license renewal fee increase</h2>
<p>
The WSMA is deeply concerned about a potential increase in license renewal fees for physicians (MDs) and physician assistants being considered by the Washington Medical Commission.
</p>
<p>
The commission has notified the WSMA of its plans to initiate rulemaking to raise physicians' renewal fees 54 percent (from $657 to $1020) and physician assistants' renewal fees 96 percent (from $202 to $396). If adopted, the fee increases could go into effect as soon as late 2019.
</p>
<p>
Note that licensure fee setting is done through a truncated rulemaking process, meaning that when the proposal is formally released by the commission, likely in the coming months, there will be only a brief opportunity to provide feedback.
</p>
<p>
As it’s unclear exactly when the commission will officially release its proposal, the <strong>WSMA is advising physicians and PAs not to wait for the formal proposal and act now: Email the commission at <a href="mailto:medical.rules@wmc.wa.gov">medical.rules@wmc.wa.gov</a> and let them know how this increase would impact you—and tell them you endorse WSMA’s <a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/News and Publications/Newsletters/2018/WMC_Fee_increase_ltr_112818.pdf]">formal comment letter</a> expressing strong opposition to the proposal.</strong>
</p>
<p>
Along with the formal letter, the WSMA has expressed its concerns in person with commission leadership. See this <a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20181226/wsma_pushes_back_on_state_plans_to_raise_physician_licensure_fees">Membership Memo item</a> for background.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Please take a moment to make your voice heard today. </strong>
</p>
<p>
You will have a second opportunity to provide feedback once the official proposal is released in the coming months—we will make sure you are notified at that time.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Don’t wait to act: Contact the commission today, <a href="mailto:medical.rules@wmc.wa.gov">medical.rules@wmc.wa.gov</a>.</strong>
</p>
<p>
And be ready to comment again when the proposed rulemaking is released. Thank you for taking action today on behalf of all physicians and PAs.
</p>
</div> | 1/15/2019 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| weekly_rounds_2019_01_14_whats_ahead_for_2019_fending_off_fee_and_tax_increases | Weekly Rounds: Jan. 14, 2019 - What's ahead for 2019? Fending off fee and tax increases | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Weekly_Rounds/2019/weekly_rounds_2019_01_14_whats_ahead_for_2019_fending_off_fee_and_tax_increases | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>January 14, 2019</h5>
<h2>What's ahead for 2019? Fending off fee and tax increases</h2>
<p>
Jennifer Hanscom, Executive Director/CEO
</p>
<p>
Are you still reeling from the hefty price increase on your Washington car-tab renewals? I know I am. Mine nearly quadrupled, and each year when the bill arrives, I find I am still suffering from sticker shock.
</p>
<p>
Well, fasten your proverbial seat belt, because if you are a <strong>MD or PA, your licensing fees may be increasing—54 and 96 percent, respectively</strong>. The Washington Medical Commission proposes to raise physicians' renewal fees from $657 to $1012 and physician assistants' renewal fees from $202 to $396 (fees cover the two-year cycle).
</p>
<p>
<strong>It's unclear when the commission will move forward with this proposal, so we need you to act now by making your voice heard directly. Take a moment today to let them know how this would impact you—and tell them you endorse <a href="https://www.informz.net/WSMA/data/images/Documents/WMC_Fee_increase_ltr_112818.pdf" target="_blank">WSMA's formal comment letter</a> expressing strong opposition to the fee increases. Email them at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:medical.rules@wcm.wa.gov">medical.rules@wmc.wa.gov</a>.</strong>
</p>
<p>
The WSMA has been quite vocal with commission leadership about our opposition to the staggering increase. Your WSMA board of trustees gave <a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20181226/wsma_pushes_back_on_state_plans_to_raise_physician_licensure_fees">direct and real-time feedback during a recent meeting</a>, and WSMA President Dr. Tom Schaaf addressed our collective concerns via the aforementioned letter to the commission. Even so, adding your opinion to the conversation makes a difference. Please take a moment to make your voice heard today.
</p>
<p>
In other news, today is the opening day of the state's legislative session. Here's how the first week of session is shaping up:
</p>
<ul>
<li>Today's opening will be notable, considering that nearly 20 percent of the legislators are new this year, and they'll all be sworn in today. </li>
<li> Tuesday, we can look forward to Gov. Jay Inslee's "state of the state" address. </li>
<li> During the week, there will be work sessions in committees aimed at getting legislators and stakeholders up to speed on issues. In fact, on Wednesday, WSMA Past President Dr. Donna Smith and Woodcreek Healthcare CEO James Hudson will present access-to-care insights to the Senate Health &amp; Long-Term Care Committee. </li>
<li> And as always, our team on the ground in Olympia will be busy providing testimony even this week on issues such as raising the age for tobacco purchase, whistleblower legislation, and more. </li>
</ul>
<p>
Looking ahead, we know that our profession will face some challenging issues during session, including:
</p>
<ul>
<li> A potential <a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20181226/governors_2019_budget_proposal_the_good_the_good_and_the_ugly">B&amp;O tax increase</a>.</li>
<li> A public option offered on the state's health benefit exchange that <a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190109/gov_inslee_previews_public_option_bill">caps reimbursements to physicians and other providers at Medicare rates</a>.</li>
<li> Attempts to expand wrongful death liability.</li>
<li> A move to ban balance billing.</li>
</ul>
<p>
As bills are introduced and hearings held, we will keep you informed of what transpires. I anticipate that we will be turning to our membership frequently with calls to action. With no physicians in the state legislature, we need to ensure that the medical community's voice is heard and that the implications of legislation are thoughtful and absent of unintended consequences. We will all need to engage if we are to advocate for a strong care community that serves our patients and communities. Our mantra holds fast: <strong>When ensuring that all Washingtonians have access to care in Washington state, we must not do so at the detriment of those providing the care.</strong>
</p>
<p>
<a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190109/a_look_at_wsmas_advocacy_agenda_on_eve_of_state_legislative_session">Click here</a> to read more about the WSMA's 2019 legislative agenda.
</p>
<p>
Another great way to make your voice heard is to attend our 2019 Legislative Summit, scheduled for Feb. 7 in Olympia. No one knows better than our members the challenges in providing care, and we rely on them to enlighten legislators about how these issues truly affect the practice of medicine and patients—who, by the way, are constituents!
</p>
<p>
Your opinions and perspectives matter to state legislators and policymakers. The event is free and provides an opportunity for you to come to the state capital, gain insight into how we translate WSMA policy into real action with legislators, and to meet with lawmakers directly.
</p>
<p>
Don your white coat and join us! The visual message of physicians, physician assistants, and medical students united in support of the profession and patients is a powerful one.
</p>
<p>
<a href="https://wsma.org/WSMA/Events/Legislative_Summit/WSMA/Events/Legislative_Summit/Legislative_Summit.aspx?hkey=ec5e0510-cee2-4aa9-b549-905d63952454">Register for the Legislative Summit today</a>.
</p>
<p>
A special thanks to our <a href="https://wsma.org/legislative-summit#partners">corporate partners</a>—exclusive premier partner <a href="https://www.phyins.com/">Physicians Insurance A Mutual Company</a>, and silver partners <a href="https://www.premera.com/wa/visitor/">Premera Blue Cross</a>, <a href="https://www.fchn.com/">First Choice Health</a>, <a href="https://www.hallrender.com/">Hall Render</a>, and <a href="https://www.wpmgcareers.org/">Washington Permanente Medical Group</a>—for helping the WSMA make this event free for our members and for members of Washington State Medical Group Management Association.
</p>
<p>
We're already working this year to make Washington the best place to practice medicine and receive care. Thank you for your support, involvement, and membership in the WSMA. Your engagement is what enables us to do this work on your behalf. (Haven't joined or renewed your membership for 2019 yet? <a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/Contacts/Sign_In.aspx?LoginRedirect=true&amp;returnurl=%2FWSMA%2FMembership%2FJoin_Renew%2FJoin_Renew_Auth.aspx%3FWebsiteKey%3Dc182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Click here</a> right now to fix that! Thank you.)
</p>
<p>
P.S. If you still need convincing, <a href="https://vimeo.com/310886915">here's WSMA's director of legislative affairs, Katie Kolan, JD</a>, on why it's important for the physician community to come to Olympia on Feb. 7. Join us!
</p>
</div> | 1/14/2019 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| in_appreciation_wsma_member_dr_richard_dick_whitten | In appreciation: WSMA member Dr. Richard Whitten | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Latest_News/2019/January/in_appreciation_wsma_member_dr_richard_dick_whitten | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>January 11, 2019</h5>
<h2>In appreciation: WSMA member Dr. Richard "Dick" Whitten</h2>
<p>By Graham Short</p>
<p><em>The following article was featured in the January/February 2019 issue of WSMA Reports, WSMA's print newsletter. WSMA Reports is a benefit of membership. Non-members may <a href="https://wsma.org/WSMA/News_Publications/Publications/WSMA/News_Publications/Publications/Publications.aspx?hkey=8f14076c-10b8-48ab-9595-8c256836e393">purchase a subscription</a>.</em></p>
<p>
It's the end of an era: WSMA member Richard "Dick" Whitten, MD, of Sammamish has stepped down from his role as speaker of the WSMA House of Delegates, a position he held with dignity and aplomb for five years, and symbolically drawing to a close a time of tremendous leadership and service—more than 30 years worth—at the WSMA.
</p>
<p>
Dr. Whitten presided over the House of Delegates, with his trusted gavel and dog-eared copy of parliamentary procedures, starting in 2013, replacing departing speaker and Tacoma family physician Richard Hawkins, MD. Assuming his place, starting with the 2019 WSMA House of Delegates, will be Spokane pediatrician Deborah Harper, MD, who has served as vice speaker since 2016, and who will be flanked by a new vice speaker, Matthew Grierson, MD, sports medicine physician from Seattle.
</p>
<p>
Dr. Whitten's service as House speaker was just the latest in a long line of leadership roles at the WSMA held by the indefatigable physician and longtime member. His service included six years as a delegate representing King County (2007-13), four years as chair of the WSMA bylaws committee, and 25 years as a member of the AMA delegation, representing the interests of Washington physicians and patients on the national level at the AMA House of Delegates. Dr. Whitten has been a dedicated member of the AMA for more than 37 years.
</p>
<p>
WSMA's current AMA delegation chair, Spokane anesthesiologist Rod Trytko, MD, believes Dr. Whitten has been a fierce physician champion. "We all have benefitted from his relentless efforts to make Washington a great place to practice medicine and receive care. He also has been one of my most trusted friends."
</p>
<p>
Another champion of physicians and patients, Seattle internist and Qualis Health CMO John Vassall, MD, agrees: "For those of us involved in the practice of medicine and in advocacy for our patients and our colleagues, we know that words matter and details matter. Dick took this very seriously and made sure we did not forget the important words and the important details."
</p>
<p>
Dr. Whitten currently serves as medical director and vice president of health policy at Noridian Healthcare Solutions.
</p>
<p>
From all of WSMA, a hearty "thank you" to Dr. Whitten for his leadership, service, and continued membership (38 years and counting). We are proud to have you as a member!</p>
<p><em>Graham Short is WSMA’s associate director of communications.</em></p>
</div> | 1/11/2019 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |