| 2024-legislative-session-update-upcoming-session-deadlines-and-scope-of-practice-bills | 2024 Legislative Session Update: Upcoming Session Deadlines, and Scope of Practice Bills | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Latest_News/2024/2024-legislative-session-update-upcoming-session-deadlines-and-scope-of-practice-bills | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://vimeo.com/909296039"><img src="/images/Newsletters/latest-news/2024/february/leg-update-video-2-5-24.png" style="width: 645px;" alt="WSMA Legislative Update: Week of Feb. 5, 2024" /></a> </div>
<h5>February 5, 2024</h5>
<h2>2024 Legislative Session Update: Upcoming Session Deadlines, and Scope of Practice Bills That Won't Advance</h2>
<p>WSMA Director of Government Affairs Sean Graham gives an update on some important upcoming session deadlines and cutoffs, and on bills that will not advance this session, including several scope of practice expansion bills the WSMA opposed. <a href="https://vimeo.com/909296039">Watch the video</a>.</p>
</div> | 2/5/2024 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| weekly-rounds-feb-2-2024-we-need-your-advocacy-to-help-medicaid-bills-advance | Weekly Rounds: Feb. 2, 2024 - We Need Your Advocacy to Help Medicaid Bills Advance | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Weekly_Rounds/2024/weekly-rounds-feb-2-2024-we-need-your-advocacy-to-help-medicaid-bills-advance | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/Weekly%20Rounds/Weekly-Rounds-Article-Graphic-2022-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="Weekly Rounds logo" /></div>
<h5>February 2, 2024</h5>
<h2>We Need Your Advocacy to Help Medicaid Bills Advance</h2>
<p>Jennifer Hanscom, CEO</p>
<p>
Last week I hit the road for points south to connect with our members at WSMA's Legislative Summit in Olympia, as well as at a physician engagement event at TRA Imaging in Tacoma. Ever since the pandemic, I am so deeply appreciative of these opportunities to connect in person! It's a great way for me to hear from you and to share how the WSMA is representing you and your patients in our advocacy work. Thanks to all of you who took the time to join these discussions.
</p>
<p>
As you've heard quite a bit lately, the WSMA's number one priority this year is to address Medicaid reimbursement. Our greatest challenge is it being an off-budget session where significant new investments aren't often considered. Regardless, at the direction of legislative leadership we have brought forth a proposal that provides an alternate source of funding to draw down federal funds to support bringing Medicaid rates in line with 2023 Medicare rates, with inflationary adjustments. Bills have been introduced in both the Senate (SB 6309) and the House (HB 2476).
</p>
<p>
As soon as a public hearing on the bill is scheduled, we will let you know. In the meantime, help us ensure that the Legislature understands the urgency of addressing this issue now. <a href="https://takeaction.wsma.org/share-your-story/?_zs=B3aFd1&amp;_zl=SLWQ9">Please email your local legislators today using our grassroots advocacy platform</a>.
</p>
<p>
We ask that you also email budget chairs <a href="mailto:timm.ormsby@leg.wa.gov">Rep. Timm Ormsby</a> (D-Spokane) and <a href="mailto:june.robinson@leg.wa.gov">Sen. June Robinson</a> (D-Everett), and caucus leaders <a href="mailto:laurie.jenkins@leg.wa.gov">Speaker Laurie Jinkins</a> (D-Tacoma) and <a href="mailto:andy.billig@leg.wa.gov">Sen. Andy Billig</a> (D-Spokane) and ask that they give HB 2476 and SB 6309 a hearing as soon as possible. You can use this message as a template:
</p>
<p>
<em>I'm writing to urge your support for the covered lives assessment in HB 2476 and SB 6309, which would increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for professional services delivered by physicians, physician assistants, and ARNPs, and ask that you give these bills a hearing as soon as possible.</em>
</p>
<p>
<em>Prioritizing a broad-based Medicaid reimbursement rate increase through the proposed covered lives assessment will improve access to care for Washingtonians at a time when it is desperately needed and long overdue. This is a short session and the issue is urgent-our patients can't wait.</em>
</p>
<p>
<em>Please support HB 2476 and SB 6309 and bring these bills forward for a public hearing.</em>
</p>
<p>
We heard from several key legislators at the Summit-they all noted the importance of hearing from physicians on these issues. With few health care practitioners in the Legislature-and no physicians-your voice matters. Speak up today.
</p>
<p>
Speaking up is a key aspect of leadership, and the WSMA is here to support you on your leadership journey. Registration is now open for the popular <a href="[@]WSMA/Events/Leadership_Development_Conference/WSMA/Events/LDC/leadership_development_conference.aspx?hkey=c7532c38-057a-4568-8a3c-078182469222">WSMA Leadership Development Conference</a>, scheduled for May 17-18 at Campbell's Resort in Chelan.
</p>
<p>
Heading a strong speaker lineup for the Thomas J. Curry Leadership Keynote address is social scientist and futurist Jeff Goldsmith, who believes that physicians have been badly mistreated by the changes in health care. He argues that the impact of disruption in health care has often been destructive, as the focus on technological potential and large corporate enterprises disrupt traditional care enterprises. He explores the questions: Have they neglected the disruptive potential of economic and political forces on how health care is paid for? And how can disrupters be partners in the strategic development of the health enterprise?
</p>
<p>
Other conference speaker highlights include Alex Ding, MD, who will explore what physicians should know about artificial intelligence, and Joel Bervell, a WSU medical student and popular social media "Medical Mythbuster," who will speak about health equity for health care leaders. A host of other speakers will be on hand to discuss topics ranging from financial wellness to building strong teams to supporting better patient care. The conference is approved for <em>AMA PRA Category 1 Credit</em><sup>TM</sup>.
</p>
<p>
Be sure to register today and make plans to bring your whole family. The resort is family friendly, and this is the perfect conference to recharge your battery, both professionally and personally.
</p>
<p>
I hope to see you there!
</p>
</div> | 2/2/2024 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| 2024_legislative_session_update | 2024 Legislative Session Update: Bringing Our Plan to Increase Medicaid Rates to the Legislature | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Latest_News/2024/2024_legislative_session_update | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://vimeo.com/904619955"><img src="/images/Newsletters/latest-news/2024/january/Leg-Update-Video-2-1-22-24.png" alt="WSMA Legislative Update: Week of Jan. 15, 2024" /></a> </div>
<h5>January 22, 2024</h5>
<h2>2024 Legislative Session Update: Bringing Our Plan to Increase Medicaid Rates to the Legislature</h2>
<p>WSMA's Director of Government Affairs Sean Graham talks about one of our top legislative priorities that we'll address at this Wednesday's 2024 <a href="[@]wsma/events/wsma_legislative_summit/legislative_summit.aspx">WSMA Legislative Summit</a>: Increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates. <a href="https://vimeo.com/904619955">Watch the video</a>.</p>
<p>Online registration for the WSMA Legislative Summit is now closed, but walk-in registration is welcome.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div> | 1/23/2024 11:27:33 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |