WSMA Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of the WSMA House of Delegates (or the WSMA Annual Meeting) is the WSMA's premiere policy-making event, when the approximately 200 voting members of the WSMA House of Delegates gather to debate and determine policy for the association, elect officers and network with colleagues. All are welcome to attend the WSMA Annual Meeting and take advantage of the educational offerings, network and learn more about the association.

All legislative power of the WSMA—including the power to alter, amend or repeal the bylaws—is vested in the House of Delegates. All business of the House is conducted according to parliamentary procedures as outlined in “The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure.” The speaker of the House serves as parliamentarian. The speaker of the House is Deborah Harper, MD, of Spokane. The vice speaker of the House is Matthew Grierson, MD, of Seattle.

Policymaking at the meeting is primarily driven by resolutions. A resolution is a proposal asking the WSMA to take a position or act on an issue. Learn more about resolutions and how they help create and guide WSMA policy.

How the House of Delegates operates

The House convenes its opening session on Saturday morning of the WSMA Annual Meeting. At this time, guests are invited to speak to the delegates and all reports and resolutions are referred to reference committees. This is followed by meetings of the reference committees on Saturday.

The House holds a second session on Sunday morning. The reference committees present their reports for consideration by the House on Sunday.

Learn more about the House of Delegates.

Reference committees

The in-person reference committees scheduled at the WSMA Annual Meeting are the key to the deliberations of the House of Delegates. Members of the House and individual members of the WSMA are invited and encouraged to attend these meetings to discuss and debate reports and resolutions due to be considered by the House for action.

Each reference committee is made of three members of the House appointed by the speaker and vice speaker.

The chair of the reference committee has the prerogative to permit non-members of the WSMA to present testimony. Committee meetings are open to the press.

When offering testimony before the reference committee, or on the floor of the House, please identify yourself and the society or organization which you represent. It is helpful, unless raising a point of order or asking a question, if you indicate you are speaking in favor of, or in opposition to, the resolution or report under discussion.

Remember, the reference committee is the most appropriate place for you to express your opinions and those of your constituents. Discussion on the floor of the House on Sunday is generally in response to the recommendations made by the reference committee and is not intended as a replay of more extensive testimony given at the committee hearings.

Most reference committees complete their business in two to three hours on Saturday. The committee reports are published under the direction of the speaker and vice speaker and are available on the WSMA website by Saturday evening and in hard copy by 7 a.m. on Sunday.

Virtual reference committees and general discussion forum

The WSMA offers password-protected online reference committees for those members who aren't able to attend the in-person reference committees, or who wish to review and discuss resolutions prior to the WSMA Annual Meeting. The WSMA also offers a general discussion forum, also available year-round, for members to develop their policy ideas or start a discussion on any general topic. Learn more about these forums.

Connect with physician leaders at the WSMA Annual Meeting

Exhibit your product, promote your job opportunity, or demonstrate your technology at the 2019 Washington State Medical Association Annual Meeting, Oct. 12 at the Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center.

The WSMA Annual Meeting offers industry leaders an opportunity to meet directly with your market. We anticipate more than 200 health care professionals to be in attendance during the meeting. Exhibit space is limited to maximize your exposure to providers.

If you have any questions please contact Lauren Beverly at 206.956.3622 or lauren@wsma.org.

The WSMA wishes to thank the following sponsor for their generous contributions.

PLATINUM SPONSOR

In 2016, Providence Health & Services joined with St. Joseph Health to form Providence St. Joseph Health. Together, Providence's diverse family of organizations employs more than 111,000 people who serve in 50 hospitals, 829 clinics and hundreds of programs and services in Alaska, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas and Washington.

The WSMA wishes to thank the following corporate partners for their generous contributions. For more information on becoming a partner, review our corporate partners brochure or contact Lauren Beverly at 206.956.3622 or lauren@wsma.org.

EXCLUSIVE PREMIER PARTNER

Founded in 1981 under the auspices of the WSMA, Physicians Insurance A Mutual Company is the Northwest's leading medical professional liability insurance company, physician-owned and exclusively endorsed to this day by the WSMA. For over 30 years, Physicians Insurance has remained the stable, committed and local insurer for physicians, clinics, facilities and hospitals, providing risk-management consulting, continuing medical education and claims administration services to more than 7,000 members in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Wyoming.

SILVER PARTNERS

Premera Blue Cross’ mission is to provide peace of mind to our members about their healthcare. We provide health insurance and related services to 1.9 million people in Washington and Alaska. Premera Blue Cross has operated in Washington since 1933 and Alaska since 1952 and is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

First Choice Health is a Seattle-based, physician and hospital owned company that serves the Northwestern United States. We have provided network, administrative and client services since 1985. Just under one million people use our array of products and services in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and select areas of North Dakota and South Dakota.

Hall Render is the largest health care-focused law firm in the country, with over 40 years of experience in health law business and 200 attorneys serving health care clients.

Washington Permanente Medical Group is a multi-specialty group practice of nearly 1,400 physicians, physician assistants, optometrists, midwives and psychologists in Washington state, united by a commitment to excellence, collaboration, compassion, stewardship and innovation.