| Legislative_Session_Week_Two_Highlights | Legislative Session Week Two Highlights | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Latest_News/2020/January/Legislative_Session_Week_Two_Highlights | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>
January 24, 2020</h5>
<h2>
Legislative Session Week Two Highlights
</h2>
<p>
</p>
<p>
The Legislature began the week hearing several high-profile pieces of legislation related to firearm safety. Later in the week, both the House and the Senate held public hearings on legislation related to the B&amp;O tax surcharge that was passed last year (more details below). And in the House, a bill expanding scope of practice for naturopaths that WSMA adamantly opposes was made eligible to be voted on. Thanks to everyone who responded to our calls to action on B&amp;O and naturopath legislation and contacted their local legislators!</p>
<h3>
Legislative session week one (Jan. 20-24): Health care highlights
</h3>
<p>
<strong>B&amp;O tax surcharge</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6492&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019" target="_blank">SB 6492</a>, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2468&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">HB 2468</a>,&nbsp;<em>WSMA opposes both</em></p>
<p>
Senate Bill 6492 modifies provisions relating to the B&amp;O tax surcharge imposed through House Bill 2158 of the 2019 legislative session, including modifying the exemption threshold for small businesses and maintains the effective B&amp;O tax rate for independent physician practices at 1.8%, as well as maintaining the hospital rate at 1.5%. Applies retroactively to Jan. 1, 2020.&nbsp;WSMA Government Affairs Director Sean Graham testified in opposition to this legislation in the Senate Committee on Ways &amp; Means on Jan. 21.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
House Bill 2468 modifies a number of provisions and definitions from 2019's House Bill 2158, but maintains the 20% B&amp;O tax increase on independent physician practices. There was a public hearing in the House Committee on Finance on Jan. 23. WSMA's Government Affairs Director Sean Graham; Teresa Girolami, MD; Tamara Bunn, MD; and Nancy Belcher, PhD, testified in opposition to this legislation. Thanks for joining us in Olympia!</p>
<p>
<strong>Including health in the state transportation system policy goals</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2461&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">HB 2461</a>, <em>WSMA supports</em>
</p>
<p>House Bill 2461 adds a criterion to the state’s transportation policy goals of improving health by considering health implications and encouraging active transportation when designing, building, and maintaining the state’s transportation system.<br />
WSMA's Associate Director of Legislative and Political Affairs Alex Wehinger testified in support of this legislation at a public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation on Jan. 22.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
<strong>Increasing access to medications for people with opioid use disorder</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6086&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019" target="_blank">SB 6086</a>,<em>WSMA supports</em>
</p>
<p>Senate Bill 6086 seeks to reduce barriers to effective MAT services by permitting health care entities to dispense up to two weeks of controlled substances to patients receiving treatment for opioid use disorder.<br />
There was a public hearing in the Senate Subcommittee on Behavioral Health on Jan. 24. WSMA’s contract lobbyist Katie Kolan, JD, testified in support of this legislation.<br />
<br />
<strong>Naloxone co-prescribing&nbsp;</strong>– <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6447&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">SB 6447</a>, <em>WSMA opposes<br />
<br />
</em>Requires a practitioner to provide a prescription for Naloxone, or to confirm that the patient has a current one already, when prescribing opioids at or in excess of 50 morphine milligram equivalent.<br />
There was a public hearing in the Senate Subcommittee on Behavioral Health on Jan. 24. WSMA’s contract lobbyist Katie Kolan, JD, testified in opposition to this legislation.</p>
<h3>
Other priority issues heard during week one (Jan. 20-24)
</h3>
<p>
<strong>High-capacity magazines</strong> –<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6077&amp;Year=2019&amp;Initiative=false">SB 6077</a> and <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2240&amp;Chamber=House&amp;Year=2019">HB 2240</a>, <em>WSMA supports both bills</em></p>
<p>Senate Bill 6077 and House Bill 2240 generally ban the manufacture, possession, and distribution of large-capacity magazines.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Carrier surplus reserves</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6097&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">SB 6097</a>, <em>WSMA supports</em>
</p>
<p>Senate Bill 6097 requires the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) to review the carrier’s surplus levels as an element in determining the reasonableness of proposed premium rates. In reviewing the surplus, the OIC must take into consideration the capital facility needs for carriers maintaining and operating hospital and clinic facilities.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Postpartum Medicaid coverage</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6106&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">SB 6106</a> and <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6128&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">SB 6128</a>, <em>WSMA supports both bills</em></p>
<p>For pregnant and postpartum individuals whose income is at or below 193% of the federal poverty level, Medicaid coverage is provided up to 12 months post-pregnancy. The HCA is directed to seek a federal waiver to allow the state to receive a federal match for postpartum coverage, though the coverage increase stipulated in the bill goes into effect regardless of the outcome of the waiver.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Model sexual assault protocols for hospitals and clinics</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6158&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019" target="_blank">SB 6158</a>, <em>WSMA supports*</em></p>
<p>
Senate Bill 6158 creates a task force on coordinated community response to sexual assault within the office of the attorney general to research and make recommendations about best practices for responding to sexual assault victims beginning with their arrival at a hospital or clinic.<br />
<br />
*<em>WSMA supports this legislation provided an amendment is added ensuring a representative from the clinic community is added to the task force.</em></p>
<p>
<strong>Assault weapons and large-capacity magazines</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2241&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019" target="_blank">HB 2241</a>, <em>WSMA supports</em>
</p>
<p>House Bill 2241 generally bans the manufacture, possession and distribution of assault weapons and large-capacity magazines.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Health care benefit management</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2036&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019"></a><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1562&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019" target="_blank">HB 1562</a>, <em>WSMA supports</em></p>
<p>House Bill 1562 requires benefit managers to register with the OIC and prohibits penalizing patients for using certain types of pharmacies that the carrier or benefit manager has an ownership interest in.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Low carbon fuel standard</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5412&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">SB 5412</a>, <em>WSMA supports</em>
</p>
<p>
Senate Bill 5412 would require a 20% reduction in the carbon intensity of transportation fuels.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Department of Corrections health care administration</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2335&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019"></a><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6063&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019" target="_blank">SB 6063</a>, <em>WSMA supports</em>
</p>
<p>Senate Bill 6063 requires the Department of Corrections to establish minimum job qualifications for prison medical director positions, in accordance with best practices, with a report to the Legislature in 2020 on the qualifications that are established, and a requirement to review the qualifications at least every five years going forward.
</p>
<h3>
Legislative session week two (Jan. 21-25). Public hearings were on the following:
</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2679&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019" target="_blank">HB 2679</a>, concerning funding for individuals who are not eligible for federal insurance subsidies and for foundational public health services.</li>
<li><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2662&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019" target="_blank">HB 2662</a>, reducing the total cost of insulin.</li>
<li><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2642&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019" target="_blank">HB 2642</a>, removing health coverage barriers to accessing substance use disorder treatment services.</li>
<li><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5601&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019" target="_blank">SB 5601</a>, concerning health care benefit management.</li>
<li><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6413&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019" target="_blank">SB 6413</a>, establishing the primary care collaborative.</li>
<li><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6404&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019" target="_blank">SB 6404</a>, adopting prior authorization and appropriate use criteria in patient care.</li>
<li><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6358&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019" target="_blank">SB 6358</a>, requiring Medicaid managed care organizations to provide reimbursement of health care services provided by substitute providers.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6303&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019" target="_blank">SB 6303</a>, concerning testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections.</li>
</ul>
<h3>
Legislative session week two (Jan. 21-25). The following were scheduled for votes in policy committees:
</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2240&amp;Chamber=House&amp;Year=2019" target="_blank">HB 2240</a>, high-capacity magazines.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6254&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019" target="_blank">SB 6254</a>, vapor product regulation.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2338&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019" target="_blank">HB 2338</a>, prohibiting discrimination in health care coverage.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2419&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019" target="_blank">HB 2419</a>, studying barriers to the use of death with dignity.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2457&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019" target="_blank">HB 2457</a>, health care cost transparency board.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2360&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">HB 2360</a>, sharps waste stewardship program.</li>
</ul>
<p>
Stayed tuned for highlights from those hearings. For regular updates on our advocacy during session, visit our <a href="[@]WSMA/News_Publications/Latest_News/Advocacy_Report/WSMA/News_Publications/Newsletters/WSMA_Advocacy_Report.aspx?hkey=fbce906b-dbfb-4af3-8790-11f84275cf1e">online Advocacy Report</a>.
</p>
<h3>
Physician advocacy in person in Olympia can make a difference
</h3>
<p>
Don your white coat and come to the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 25 for the 2020 WSMA Legislative Summit, our "doctors' day on the Hill." The event is free for members - <a href="[@]WSMA/Events/Legislative_Summit/WSMA/Events/Legislative_Summit/Legislative_Summit.aspx?hkey=ec5e0510-cee2-4aa9-b549-905d63952454">learn more and register online today</a>. Or consider lending your expertise and experience to lawmakers by testifying on a bill or issue you care about. Contact Alex Wehinger at <a href="mailto:alex@wsma.org">alex@wsma.org</a>to learn more.
</p>
</div> | 1/27/2020 11:17:31 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| bree_collaborative_finalizes_recommendations_in_response_to_volk_v_demeerleer | Bree Collaborative Finalizes Recommendations in Response to Volk v. DeMeerleer | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20200123/bree_collaborative_finalizes_recommendations_in_response_to_volk_v_demeerleer | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>
January 23, 2020</h5>
<h2>
Bree Collaborative Finalizes Recommendations in Response to Volk v. DeMeerleer
</h2>
<p>
At the request of the Washington State Legislature, the <a href="http://www.breecollaborative.org/topic-areas/previous-topics/risk-of-violence/">Dr. Robert Bree Collaborative</a> recently adopted recommendations intended to address clinician uncertainty resulting from the 2016 Washington State Supreme Court decision <em>Volk v. DeMeerleer</em>. <a href="http://www.breecollaborative.org/topic-areas/previous-topics/risk-of-violence/">The Risk of Violence to Others Report and Recommendations</a> can be downloaded for review from the Bree Collaborative website.
</p>
<p>
While intended to provide an overview of best practices for clinical care, the Bree Collaborative is concerned about setting actionable recommendations in light of the standards set in <em>Volk</em>, and suggests that even with these recommendations, legislative action is needed to address the questions raised by court's decision, including:
</p>
<ul>
<li>Addressing <em>Volk's</em> discrepancies with current law (RCWs 71.05.120, 70.02.050, and 70.02.230).</li>
<li>Creating one uniform standard on the duties of mental health professionals to protect third parties from violent acts of patients to supersede <em>Volk</em> and apply regardless of treatment settings.</li>
<li>Clarifying the scope of the duty to protect by specifying the range of clinicians subject to the duty to protect, conditions that trigger the duty to protect, persons to whom the duty to protect is owed, and options for discharging the duty to protect.</li>
</ul>
<p>
The WSMA was actively engaged in the work group that created the recommendations. The Bree Collaborative will now send the recommendations to the state Health Care Authority in accordance with its usual process for review and approval and will also send them to the House Health Care &amp; Wellness Committee and the Senate Health &amp; Long Term Care Committee.
</p>
<p>
The <em>Volk</em> decision was <a href="[@]Shared_Content/News/Weekly_Rounds/2018/Volk_decision_a_few_words_make_a_huge_difference">aggressively opposed by the WSMA</a> and a large coalition of national and state partners due to its substantial expansion of clinician liability and the potential chilling effect on patient care. We are pleased to see the Bree Collaborative address the need for the Legislature to address significant legal ambiguities in order to support Washington's mental health professionals.
</p>
<p>
If you have questions, email Katerina LaMarche, JD, at <a href="mailto:katerina@wsma.org">katerina@wsma.org</a>.
</p>
</div> | 1/23/2020 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| legislative_session_week_one_highlights | Legislative Session Week One Highlights | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20200123/legislative_session_week_one_highlights | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>
January 23, 2020</h5>
<h2>
Legislative Session Week One Highlights
</h2>
<p>
</p>
<p>
If a physician colleague asks you "<a href="[@]WSMA/Membership/Why_Join_the_WSMA/WSMA/Membership/Why_Join_the_WSMA_/Why_Join_the_WSMA.aspx?hkey=de6b7c3d-8b5a-420d-a55e-db6e2faf5715">What's the value of membership in the WSMA</a>?" a quick and easy answer is the work we, and many of your committed WSMA member colleagues, do on the ground in Olympia during the state legislative session. That work was on full display last week, as Washington state lawmakers began their "short" 60-day working session. Proposed bills on issues of importance to physicians - credentialing, maintenance of certification, a low-carbon fuel standard, to name a few - were heard in committee hearings, several featuring WSMA physician advocates providing testimony.
</p>
<p>
The legislative session kicked off with the swearing in of a new Speaker of the House, Rep. Laurie Jinkins of the Tacoma area. Jinkins is the first new House speaker in over two decades, and - in two historic firsts - the first woman House speaker and its first openly gay speaker.
</p>
<p>
Here is a brief rundown of the priority health care bills heard last week in committees, a few shout-outs to our physician advocates who testified, and what's in store for this week (and in case you missed it, WSMA CEO Jennifer Hanscom lays out our top legislative priorities in our inaugural legislative update video <a href="https://vimeo.com/384585974">here</a>).
</p>
<h3>
Legislative session week one (Jan. 13-17): Health care highlights
</h3>
<p>
<strong>Health care provider credentialing</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1552&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">HB 1552</a>, <em>WSMA supports</em>
</p>
<p>
Among other provisions, House Bill 1552 would require insurers to retroactively reimburse for care delivered by providers during credentialing time, upon approval of credentialing application. It also would reduce the deadline by which insurers must approve or deny credentialing applications to 45 days. WSMA members Ken Lee, MD; Edward Cates, MD; and Christie Mcannally, office manager at Pioneer Family Practice, joined WSMA's Director of Policy Jeb Shepard to testify in support of this legislation during a public hearing in the House Committee on Health Care &amp; Wellness on Jan. 15. <a href="https://vimeo.com/386784881" target="_blank">Watch Drs. Lee and Cates testimony</a>.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Prohibiting maintenance of certification as a condition for insurer network participation</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2313&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">HB 2313</a>, <em>WSMA supports</em>
</p>
<p>
House Bill 2313 would prohibit insurers from requiring that physicians participate in maintenance of certification programs as a condition of being a participating provider in health plans. WSMA member Ken Lee, MD, and WSMA Director of Government Affairs Sean Graham testified in support of this legislation during a public hearing in the House Committee on Health Care &amp; Wellness on Jan. 15.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Physician assistants</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2378&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">HB 2378</a>,<em>WSMA supports</em>
</p>
<p>
House Bill 2378 would make modifications to modernize the Physician Assistant Practice Act and to facilitate the ability of physician assistants to gain employment and practice. WSMA contract lobbyist Katie Kolan, JD, testified in support of this legislation during a public hearing in the House Committee on Health Care &amp; Wellness on Jan. 17.
</p>
<h3>
Other priority issues heard during week one (Jan. 13-17)
</h3>
<p>
<strong>Health coverage for young adults</strong> –<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1697&amp;Year=2019&amp;Initiative=false">HB 1697</a>, <em>WSMA supports</em>
</p>
<p>
House Bill 1687 would expand Medicaid coverage to all individuals aged 19 to 26 whose income is at or below 138% of the federal poverty level and who are not eligible for traditional Medicaid (i.e. undocumented individuals.).
</p>
<p>
<strong>Expiration date for notification of a biosimilar</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2251&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">HB 2251</a>, <em>WSMA supports</em>
</p>
<p>
House Bill 2251 would extend by five years the expiration date for required notification to a prescriber in the event of the substitution of a biosimilar drug for a biologic drug.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Student health plans</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2252&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">HB 2252</a>, <em>WSMA supports</em>
</p>
<p>
House Bill 2252 would require that student health plans that provide coverage for maternity care services also provide coverage for abortions.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Living donor act</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6039&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">SB 6039</a>, <em>WSMA supports</em>
</p>
<p>
Senate Bill 6039 would make it illegal for insurers to decline, limit, or price coverage based on an individual's status as a living organ donor or discriminate against them in any way for the same reason.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Direct primary care</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6062&amp;Year=2019&amp;Initiative=false">SB 6062</a>, <em>WSMA supports</em>
</p>
<p>
Senate Bill 6062 would repeal a reporting requirement for direct primary care practices to operate in the state.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Health system transparency</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2036&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">HB 2036</a>, <em>WSMA opposes</em>
</p>
<p>
House Bill 2036 would impose new financial reporting requirements on hospitals and apply the same requirements to ambulatory surgical facilities.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Low carbon fuel standard</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5412&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">SB 5412</a>, <em>WSMA supports</em>
</p>
<p>
Senate Bill 5412 would require a 20% reduction in the carbon intensity of transportation fuels.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Increasing access to medications for people with opioid use disorder</strong> – <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2335&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">HB 2335</a>, <em>WSMA supports</em>
</p>
<p>
House Bill 2335 would increase allowances for pharmacies to administer, dispense, or deliver drugs to patients who receive evidence-based opioid use disorder treatment "at the health care entity" and in compliance with Washington State Pharmacy Commission rules. This legislation was developed by WSMA member Lucinda Grande, MD.
</p>
<h3>
Legislative session week two (Jan. 21-25). Public hearings were on the following:
</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6077&amp;Year=2019&amp;Initiative=false">SB 6077</a> <strong>,</strong> concerning high-capacity magazines.</li>
<li><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6106&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">SB 6106</a>, improving postpartum Medicaid coverage.</li>
<li><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6128&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">SB 6128</a>, extending coverage during the postpartum period.</li>
<li><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6097&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">SB 6097</a>, requiring the insurance commissioner to review a health carrier's surplus levels as part of its rate filing review process.</li>
<li><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2240&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">HB 2240</a>, concerning high-capacity magazines.</li>
<li><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2241&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">HB 2241</a>, concerning assault weapons and large-capacity magazines.</li>
<li><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2303&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">HB 2303</a>, concerning professional licensing requirements for service members and military spouses.</li>
<li><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6288&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">SB 6288</a>, creating the Washington office of firearm violence prevention.</li>
<li><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1562&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">HB 1562</a>, concerning health care benefit management</li>
<li><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6254&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">SB 6254</a>, protecting public health and safety by enhancing the regulation of vapor products.</li>
<li><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2457&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">HB 2457</a>, establishing the health care cost transparency board.</li>
<li><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2438&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">HB 2438</a>, concerning establishment of the prescription opioid impact account.</li>
<li><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6070&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">SB 6070</a>, concerning public disclosures by state-funded substance use disorder treatment programs and facilities.</li>
<li><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6086&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">SB 6086</a>, increasing access to medications for opioid use disorder.</li>
</ul>
<p>
Stayed tuned for highlights from those hearings. For regular updates on our advocacy during session, visit our <a href="[@]WSMA/News_Publications/Latest_News/Advocacy_Report/WSMA/News_Publications/Newsletters/WSMA_Advocacy_Report.aspx?hkey=fbce906b-dbfb-4af3-8790-11f84275cf1e">online Advocacy Report</a>.
</p>
<h3>
Physician advocacy in person in Olympia can make a difference
</h3>
<p>
Don your white coat and come to the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 25 for the 2020 WSMA Legislative Summit, our "doctors' day on the Hill." The event is free for members - <a href="[@]WSMA/Events/Legislative_Summit/WSMA/Events/Legislative_Summit/Legislative_Summit.aspx?hkey=ec5e0510-cee2-4aa9-b549-905d63952454">learn more and register online today</a>. Or consider lending your expertise and experience to lawmakers by testifying on a bill or issue you care about. Contact Alex Wehinger at <a href="mailto:alex@wsma.org">alex@wsma.org</a>to learn more.
</p>
</div> | 1/23/2020 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |