| Watch_This__WSMA_Legislative_Update_with_Katie_Kolan | Watch This: WSMA Legislative Update with Katie Kolan | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Advocacy_Report/2019/Watch_This__WSMA_Legislative_Update_with_Katie_Kolan | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>March 18, 2019
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<h2>Watch This: WSMA Legislative Update with Katie Kolan</h2>
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<p>In this week's legislative update video, WSMA Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Katie Kolan covers what we're looking for in upcoming House and Senate budget proposals, and when we expect those budgets to be released. Plus, some good news related to the Senate's public option bill and what's coming up this week in Olympia. Check out this week's video <a href="https://vimeo.com/325104498">here</a>&nbsp;and find archived videos <a href="https://vimeo.com/album/5835487">here</a>.</p>
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</div> | 3/19/2019 8:51:17 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| Weekly_Rounds__Mar._18__2019_-_A_Public_Option_that_Works_for_Patients_and_Physicians | Weekly Rounds: Mar. 18, 2019 - A Public Option that Works for Patients and Physicians | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Weekly_Rounds/2019/Weekly_Rounds__Mar._18__2019_-_A_Public_Option_that_Works_for_Patients_and_Physicians | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>March 18, 2019</h5>
<h2>A Public Option that Works for Patients and Physicians </h2>
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Jennifer Hanscom, Executive Director/CEO
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<p>As we head into week 10 of our 15-week legislative session, I can't help but reflect on the incredible work of our team in Olympia. We often say to our members that while they go about their daily business of saving lives, our team is on the frontlines of protecting their interests so they can continue to do just that…save lives.</p>
<p>Already in this session, the team in Olympia has rigorously reviewed around 2,000 bills. Thus far, they’ve identified nearly 300 that could impact the profession—for better or for worse. They have aggressively monitored, testified, reported out, and lobbied for or against as guided by WSMA policy and leadership.</p>
<p>Your team on the ground has been working around the clock to influence state policies that benefit not only our profession and the groups you practice in, but also your patients.</p>
<p>It’s a challenging job. I’m sure you can appreciate how difficult it is to navigate complex issues while advocating on topics where a broad range of stakeholders have opposing concerns.</p>
<p>We know that physicians are looking for market stability, predictability, and access to care. That’s why we soldier on in this work, defending them and the profession for the health and well-being of all Washingtonians.</p>
<p>A case in point is the issue of a public option plan.</p>
<p><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1523&amp;Year=2019&amp;Initiative=false">House Bill 1523</a> would create a public option insurance plan procured by the Health Care Authority and offered to the public on the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. The plan’s benefit design would be standardized to decrease cost-sharing requirements for enrollees, with reimbursement capped at Medicare rates. The WSMA has been vocal in our opposition to setting rates in statute, particularly at the Medicare level.</p>
<p>Thankfully, on the Senate side, legislators listened and responded to our concerns. Last week the Senate voted to approve an amended version of its public option plan, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5526&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">Senate Bill 5526</a>, with a bipartisan vote of 36-13. Importantly, the bill was amended to remove the rate-setting component, so physicians will have the opportunity to negotiate with carriers on their terms of participation in the plan.</p>
<p>The amended bill maintains the standard plan design components that are intended to limit patient cost-sharing. Also, in lieu of a reimbursement rate cap addressing premium costs, it substitutes an active purchaser structure that will enable the Health Care Authority to negotiate with carriers on appropriate premium rates for the plans. Carriers would then, in turn, negotiate with physicians and facilities to build provider networks.</p>
<p>In other areas, SB 5526 was amended to mirror the changes that were recently made to its House companion, HB 1523. Most notable for our purposes, it includes a requirement that utilization review processes employed in the plan meet national accreditation standards, align with HCA-published criteria, and focus on care that has high variation, high cost, or low evidence of clinical effectiveness.</p>
<p>Last week the WSMA executive committee voted to support SB 5526 in its current form as a means to expand access to affordable coverage for our state’s uninsured, while not crippling the viability of a medical practice.</p>
<p>As the bill continues its journey in the Legislature, the WSMA will hold fast in our opposition to any rate setting in this public option plan—a position reaffirmed by the executive committee at its March meeting.</p>
<p>The WSMA is working in partnership on this issue with the Washington State Hospital Association. But you may not know that <strong>the WSMA is the only physician/provider organization participating in behind-the-scenes negotiations on this issue in Olympia</strong>. And that is exactly the intersection where your support of the WSMA really matters and enables us to do this work on behalf of all physicians and patients.</p>
<p>As always, we are grateful for your support of the WSMA and count it a privilege to represent the physician voice. Together, our efforts are helping ensure that Washington is, indeed, the best place to practice medicine and receive care.</p>
</div> | 3/18/2019 9:23:48 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| reducing_burnout_focus_of_2019_leadership_development_conference | Reducing Burnout Focus of 2019 Leadership Development Conference | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190313/reducing_burnout_focus_of_2019_leadership_development_conference | <div class="col-md-12">
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March 13, 2019
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<h2>Reducing Burnout Focus of 2019 Leadership Development Conference</h2>
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<a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Latest_News/2019/March/dont_miss_latest_issue_of_wsma_reports_on_burnout_and_new_survey_findings">Data from a recent WSMA Foundation survey on burnout</a> are painting a picture familiar to most physicians - a house of medicine united in purpose but straining under the weight of professional burnout. The picture is clear, and the WSMA is acting. In our newest issue of <a href="https://wsma.org/WSMA/News_Publications/Latest_News/WSMA_Reports/WSMA/News_Publications/Newsletters/WSMA_Reports.aspx?hkey=b19e8949-47e1-4478-be31-53621de96ecc">WSMA Reports</a>, we're telling your story - the stories of physicians throughout Washington who have experienced burnout - and at this year's <a href="https://wsma.org/WSMA/Events/Leadership_Development_Conference/WSMA/Events/LDC/leadership_development_conference.aspx?hkey=c7532c38-057a-4568-8a3c-078182469222">Leadership Development Conference</a>, May 17-18 at Campbell's Resort on Lake Chelan, we'll explore the changes needed at the organizational and leadership levels to create healthier, more fulfilled physicians.
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The conference features a stellar lineup of participants to help guide and inspire attendees, including:
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<ul>
<li>Social psychologist <strong>Ron Friedman, PhD</strong>, author of the best-selling book "The Best Place to Work: The Art and Science of Creating an Extraordinary Workplace." </li>
<li>Pediatrician and Gundersen Health System CEO Emeritus <strong>Jeff Thompson, MD</strong>, author of his inspiring book "Lead True: Live Your Values, Build Your People." </li>
<li>Author, speaker, consultant and coach <strong>Valerie Black, MBA</strong>, co-founder of Vera Whole Health, a national on-site clinic provider, and winner in 2014 of the Puget Sound Business Journal's Woman of Influence Award for her impact on the health care industry. </li>
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For a full lineup of faculty and agenda, <a href="https://wsma.org/WSMA/Events/Leadership_Development_Conference/WSMA/Events/LDC/leadership_development_conference.aspx?hkey=c7532c38-057a-4568-8a3c-078182469222">visit the event webpage</a>.
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All physicians, by nature, are leaders—whether of an organization, a care team, or an episode of care—and all physicians can benefit from the singular focus of this year's conference, as we seek to harness physicians' natural disposition (expertise, experience, knowledge, and vision) to put interventions in place to reduce burnout and increase professional satisfaction. <a href="https://wsma.org/WSMA/Events/Leadership_Development_Conference/WSMA/Events/LDC/leadership_development_conference.aspx?hkey=c7532c38-057a-4568-8a3c-078182469222">
</a>. This activity has been approved for <em>AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™</em>. And don't forget to book your accommodations at Campbell's Resort on Lake Chelan soon—the deadline to receive the WSMA room discount is Tuesday, April 16.
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</div> | 3/13/2019 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |