| Legislative_session_update__Balance_billing__tobacco_21__vaccinations__and_more | Legislative session update: Balance billing, tobacco 21, vaccinations, and more | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Latest_News/2019/February/Legislative_session_update__Balance_billing__tobacco_21__vaccinations__and_more | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>February 13, 2019</h5>
<h2>Legislative session update: Balance billing, tobacco 21, vaccinations, and more
</h2>
<p>A brief rundown of WSMA priority health care legislation heard in committees during week four of the state legislative session, and what's in store for this week.</p>
<h3>Week four (Feb.4-8) highlights</h3>
<p>(HB = House bill; SB = Senate bill)</p>
<p><strong>Balance billing</strong> – Two bills that attempt to solve the issue of balance billing, <a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?Year=2019&amp;BillNumber=5031">SB 5031</a> and <a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?Year=2019&amp;BillNumber=5699">SB 5699</a>, were heard by the Senate Health &amp; Long Term Care Committee on Monday, Feb 4. WSMA’s Sean Graham testified with concerns on SB 5031 (legislation requested by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner) and in support of SB 5699. <a href="[@]Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190213/balance_billing_negotiations_continue_in_olympia_feds_now_taking_an_interest_too.aspx">Learn more about this issue</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Tobacco 21</strong> – The WSMA testified in support of <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1074&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">HB 1074</a> during a House Appropriations Committee hearing on Thursday, Feb. 7. This legislation and its companion, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1074&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">SB 5057</a>, would raise the minimum legal age of sale of tobacco and vapor products from 18 to 21. Relatedly, the WSMA supported <a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?Year=2019&amp;BillNumber=8008">SJM 8008</a>, heard by the Senate Health &amp; Long Term Care Committee on Monday, Feb. 4. This “joint memorial†would urge the federal government to raise the legal age for the sale, consumption, and use of tobacco and vapor products from 18 to 21.</p>
<p><strong>Drug cost transparency</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1224&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">HB 1224</a> was heard by the House Health Care &amp; Wellness Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 6. The WSMA supports this legislation, as well as a similar bill, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5292&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">SB 5292</a>, both of which would require prescription drug manufacturers to report cost and use information to the state Office of Financial Management.</p>
<p><strong>Physician assistant practice reform</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5411&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">SB 5411</a> was heard by the Senate Health &amp; Long Term Care Committee on Friday, Feb. 8. This bill would make several changes to PA practice. The WSMA is neutral on this bill.</p>
<p><strong>Vaccinations</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1638&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">HB 1638</a>, which would eliminate the personal and philosophical exemption for childrens’ measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, was heard by the House Health Care &amp; Wellness Committee on Friday, Feb. 8. The WSMA testified in support. <a href="[@]Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190213/wsma_backs_legislative_efforts_to_strengthen_washington_states_immunization_policy.aspx">Learn more about this issue and watch a brief video of WSMA testimony</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Foundational Public Health Services</strong> – The WSMA testified in support <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1497&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">HB 1497</a> at a hearing in the House Health Care &amp; Wellness Committee on Friday, Feb. 8. This bill would define a core set of public health services including control of communicable disease; chronic disease and injury prevention; environmental public health; maternal, child, and family health; behavioral health; vital records; and “cross-cutting capabilities.â€</p>
<h3>What to expect this week (Feb. 11-15)</h3>
<p>Work sessions and legislative hearings will be held on the following priority issues:</p>
<p><strong>Tobacco 21</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1074&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">HB 1074</a> is scheduled for executive session on Wed, Feb. 13 in the House Appropriations Committee.</p>
<p><strong>Naturopath scope of practice</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?Year=2019&amp;BillNumber=1630">HB 1630</a>, which would grant naturopaths the ability to prescribe and administer legend drugs and controlled substances contained in Schedules III through V of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, is scheduled for a hearing in the House Health Care &amp; Wellness Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 13. The WSMA opposes this bill.</p>
<p><strong>Foundational Public Health Services</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1497&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">HB 1497</a> is scheduled for an executive session in the House Health Care &amp; Wellness Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 13.</p>
<p><strong>Vaccinations</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1638&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">HB 1638</a>, is scheduled for executive session by the House Health Care &amp; Wellness Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 15.</p>
<h3>Bill introductions</h3>
<p>A look at several new bills introduced during the week of Feb. 4–8.</p>
<p><strong>Vaccinations</strong> - <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5841&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">SB 5841</a>, which would eliminate the personal and philosophical exemption for all child immunization requirements, was introduced. The WSMA supports this bill as per House of Delegates policy.</p>
<p><strong>Acupuncture &amp; Eastern medicine</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5794&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">SB 5794</a> and <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1865&amp;Year=2019&amp;Initiative=false">HB 1865</a>, which would increase the scope of practice of these professions. The WSMA is strongly opposed to both bills.</p>
<p><strong>Vapor products regulation</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1932&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">HB 1932</a> would prohibit the sale of flavored vapor nicotine and marijuana products, beginning in 2020, prohibit advertising targeted at youth, and establish requirements for collection and disposal. The WSMA is monitoring this legislation.</p>
<h3>Policy cutoff deadlines</h3>
<p>The life of a bill is partly determined by its ability to survive several established deadlines, and several are approaching: Friday, Feb. 22, when bills must pass out of their committee (barring a few exceptions), and Wednesday March 13, which is when bills must pass out of their house of origin.</p>
<h3>Learn more</h3>
<p>See previous updates <a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Latest_News/2019/February/Legislative_session_update__Rx_transparency__telemedicine__public_option_and_more">here</a> and <a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190123/legislative_session_begins_a_look_at_health_care_bills_were_tracking">here</a>. For an overview of WSMA's legislative agenda for 2019, see <a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190109/a_look_at_wsmas_advocacy_agenda_on_eve_of_state_legislative_session">this Membership Memo article</a>. Interested in testifying on a bill or issue you care about? Contact Hailey Hamilton at <a href="mailto:hailey@wsma.org">hailey@wsma.org</a> to learn more.</p>
</div> | 2/13/2019 1:31:13 PM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| balance_billing_negotiations_continue_in_olympia_feds_now_taking_an_interest_too | Balance billing negotiations continue in Olympia; feds now taking an interest too | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190213/balance_billing_negotiations_continue_in_olympia_feds_now_taking_an_interest_too | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>
February 13, 2019
</h5>
<h2>Balance billing negotiations continue in Olympia; feds now taking an interest too</h2>
<p>
For the fourth year in a row, legislators in Olympia are attempting to prohibit the practice of balance billing in scenarios where patients visit emergency departments or are treated by an out-of-network physician working at an in-network facility. The issue has a considerable amount of momentum in Olympia with leadership in both the House and Senate indicating they intend to pass a bill this year. Meanwhile, Congress and President Trump have taken an interest in the issue too, with signs pointing to legislation getting serious consideration in the "other" Washington.
</p>
<p>
At the state level, Rep. Eileen Cody, D-West Seattle, introduced <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1065&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">House Bill 1065</a> at the request of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. While previous proposals attempted to set a statutory payment rate for out-of-network care relevant to the bill, this year's iteration instead creates a structure intended to incent physicians and insurance carriers to voluntarily come to agreement on an acceptable rate of payment (or a broader contract). Sen. Annette Cleveland, D-Vancouver, subsequently introduced <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5699&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">Senate Bill 5699</a> that builds on that approach, with important amendments including ensuring that initial reimbursement from carriers is reasonable, and that in the event of a dispute over reimbursement, that arbitrators would not be instructed to consider what Medicare would pay for the service. Both HB 1065 and SB 5699 have been approved by their respective policy committees.
</p>
<p>
Given the amount of media coverage balance billing has garnered in recent years, it's no surprise that members of Congress have taken an interest in addressing the issue as well—a rare instance where it seems like there's bipartisan support for something in D.C. There are a number of bills that have been formally introduced or informally floated, and <a href="https://khn.org/news/trump-zeroes-in-on-surprise-medical-bills-in-white-house-chat-with-patients-experts/">last month President Trump convened a group of patients and experts on the issue to discuss their perspectives</a> before declaring it a priority of his administration to stop the practice of balance billing.
</p>
<p>
The WSMA remains committed to finding a way to protect patients from balance bills, negotiating in good faith with the OIC and key legislators. We are hopeful that the issue can be resolved appropriately at the state level during the 2019 legislative session and will be monitoring developments at the federal level as well.
</p>
</div> | 2/13/2019 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| wsma_backs_legislative_efforts_to_strengthen_washington_states_immunization_policy | WSMA backs legislative efforts to strengthen Washington state's immunization policy | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190213/wsma_backs_legislative_efforts_to_strengthen_washington_states_immunization_policy | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>
February 13, 2019
</h5>
<h2>WSMA backs legislative efforts to strengthen Washington state's immunization policy</h2>
<p>
With Washington state experiencing another outbreak of a dangerous and vaccine-preventable disease, the WSMA is supporting two bills this legislative session to strengthen our state's vaccination policy and help ensure community immunity.
</p>
<p>
Both bills aim to raise our state’s vaccination rates for childhood vaccines, currently <a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Advocacy_Report/2019/Strengthening_Washington_state_s_immunization_policy">well below the state and federal baseline to effectively prevent the spread of most diseases</a>, by eliminating the personal and philosophical exemption for some or all child immunization requirements. They are:
</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1638&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">House Bill 1638</a>, sponsored by Rep. Harris, R-Vancouver, which would eliminate the personal and philosophical exemption for childrens’ measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.</li>
<li><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5841&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">Senate Bill 5841</a>, sponsored by Sen. Cleveland, D-Vancouver, which would eliminate the personal and philosophical exemption for all child immunization requirements.</li>
</ul>
<p>
As directed by WSMA House of Delegates policy passed in 2014, the WSMA supports the elimination of personal and philosophical vaccine exemptions for school, child care, and preschool immunization requirements.
</p>
<p>
While SB 5841 has yet to be scheduled for a hearing, HB 1638 was heard by the House Health Care &amp; Wellness Committee last Friday. Representing the WSMA, former Snohomish County Public Health Officer Gary Goldbaum, MD, testified in support of the bill, reminding lawmakers of the dangers of measles, particularly to those unable to be vaccinated:
</p>
<p>
<a href="https://vimeo.com/316211857">Watch Dr. Goldbaum's testimony</a> (02:14).
</p>
<p>
Many thanks to Dr. Goldbaum and to Rupin Thakkar, MD, representing the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, for their testimony on behalf of HB 1638.
</p>
<p>
The current outbreak of measles in Clark County is also stressing an already strained public health apparatus, demanding resources and intensive coordination. To support our public health system, the WSMA is supporting <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1497&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">HB 1497</a> and its companion, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5732&amp;Chamber=Senate&amp;Year=2019">SB 5732</a>, which define a core set of “foundational†public health services in Washington state and stipulates appropriate funding. In addition, we will advocate for funding provisions for public health in the final state budget.
</p>
<p><em>Pictured: Gary Goldbaum MD, on Friday, Feb. 8, testifying in support of House Bill 1638, which would eliminate the personal and philosophical exemption for childrens’ measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.
</em></p>
</div> | 2/13/2019 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |