| challenges_and_gains_mark_2019_legislative_session | Challenges and Gains Mark 2019 Legislative Session | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190508/challenges_and_gains_mark_2019_legislative_session | <div class="col-md-12">
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</div>
<h5>
May 8, 2019
</h5>
<h2>Challenges and Gains Mark 2019 Legislative Session</h2>
<p>
The 2019 state legislative session was gaveled to a close on Sunday, April 28, marking the end of one of the most challenging sessions in memory for the physician community. While there were bright spots, they were overshadowed by several high-priority issues that will adversely impact the bottom line of physicians, particularly those in independent practice.
</p>
<p>
The WSMA was particularly disappointed with the passage of the following proposals:
</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Latest_News/2019/April/vulnerable_patient_health_care_jeopardized_by_proposed_b_and_o_tax_increase">A tax bill</a> that imposes a 20 percent surcharge on the business &amp; occupation (B&amp;O) tax paid by independent physician practices and clinics. The bill spares hospital systems from the tax increase. </li>
<li><a href="[@]Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190508/public_option_bill_passes_with_rate_setting_provision.aspx">A "public option" health insurance plan for Washington state</a> with physician reimbursement rates capped at 160 percent of Medicare, a precedential move by the state to limit reimbursement in a commercial health care plan. </li>
<li><a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190424/wrongful_death_bill_passes_legislature_heads_to_governor_for_signing">Legislation expanding wrongful death liability</a>, exposing physicians and other entities to more lawsuits and higher awards.</li>
<li><a href="[@]Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190508/the_good_and_bad_of_new_opioid_legislative_policy.aspx">Costly IT mandates on physician practices and health care facilities</a> , including a mandate to integrate with the state's prescription drug monitoring program and a mandate to use an electronic prescribing system.</li>
</ul>
<p>
There were also, thankfully, important victories achieved this session for <a href="[@]Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190508/session_ends_with_landmark_public_health_wins.aspx">public health</a> , the state's <a href="[@]Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190508/state_budget_includes_mental_health_investments_b_and_o_increase_passes.aspx">mental and behavioral health system</a> , and for <a href="[@]Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190508/more_wins_whistleblower_protections_fee_setting_transparency_advance_directives.aspx">WSMA-initiated bills</a> , covered separately in this issue of the Membership Memo (and be sure to watch the final <a href="https://vimeo.com/334209068">episode in our legislative update video series featuring WSMA's own Katie Kolan, JD, and Sean Graham</a>). For a more in-depth look at new policies impacting medicine, register to attend our lunchtime <a href="https://wsma.org/WSMA/Events/WSMA_Legislative_Wrap_Up_Webinar/WSMA/Events/wsma_legislative_wrap_up_webinar.aspx?hkey=9e9d7843-853f-47d0-bae4-7d2595f5c86b">session wrap-up webinar</a> on Wednesday, May 15, and keep an eye out for our yearly publication, the WSMA Legislative Report, mailed to members this summer.
</p>
<h3>What's next?</h3>
<p>
As we all know, the legislative process is a long game—good (and bad) policies are often the result of many years of hard work in, and outside of, the Legislature. There will be opportunities to amend laws we are concerned with and opportunities to repeal wrongheaded policies like the B&amp;O tax increase. Our work is far from over, and we will continue to need the engagement of our members and the physician community as we gear up for the next state legislative session in January 2020.
</p>
<p>
As we prepare for our conversations with legislators during the interim (the time during which the Washington State Legislature is not in session), we will remain focused on developing and advocating for policies that will positively impact the bottom lines of physician practices, while continuing to highlight the importance of access to care for patients. After all, physicians can only deliver care if they can keep their doors open—an "on-the-ground" reality that legislators need to develop a better understanding of, and a message the WSMA will continue to hammer home through every available means (see this <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/public-health-wins-but-physician-practices-lose-in-2019-legislative-session/">Seattle Times opinion column from WSMA CEO Jennifer Hanscom</a> as the latest example). As your premier statewide physician professional association, our resolve has never been stronger, as we fight for policies to make Washington a better state to practice medicine and increase the influence of the physician voice in Olympia and beyond.
</p>
</div> | 5/8/2019 9:21:10 AM | 5/8/2019 12:00:00 AM |
| legislative_compromise_reached_on_balance_billing | Legislative Compromise Reached on Balance Billing | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190508/legislative_compromise_reached_on_balance_billing | <div class="col-md-12">
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</div>
<h5>
May 8, 2019
</h5>
<h2>Legislative Compromise Reached on Balance Billing </h2>
<p>
Another bright spot this legislative session was the successful conclusion of a multi-year effort to address the challenging issues that can result from balance billing. After many years of negotiation, WSMA reached an agreement on balance billing legislation, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1065&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">House Bill 1065</a>, that protects patients from unexpected bills and is fair for the physician community. The bill requires insurance carriers to reimburse out-of-network physicians at a commercially reasonable rate, with a physician-friendly dispute resolution process in the event of disagreement over acceptable compensation. It also requires carriers to pay physicians directly (rather than routing payment through patients) and strengthens carriers' network adequacy requirements. Read more about this bill in the <a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Weekly_Rounds/2019/weekly_rounds_apr_15_2019_taking_action_makes_a_difference">April 15 issue of Weekly Rounds</a>, WSMA CEO Jennifer Hanscom's e-newsletter.
</p>
</div> | 5/8/2019 3:10:47 PM | 5/8/2019 12:00:00 AM |
| more_wins_whistleblower_protections_fee_setting_transparency_advance_directives | More Wins: Whistleblower Protections, Fee-Setting Transparency, Advance Directives | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190508/more_wins_whistleblower_protections_fee_setting_transparency_advance_directives | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-md-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/images/News/HB1049-Signing-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" />
<div class="col-md-12 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><em>Gov. Jay Inslee signs HB 1049 on April 19, 2019.</em></div>
</div>
<h5>
May 8, 2019
</h5>
<h2>More Wins: Whistleblower Protections, Fee-Setting Transparency, Advance Directives</h2>
<p>
The WSMA was pleased to see multiple bills we helped bring forward approved by the Legislature this year. <a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Advocacy_Report/2019/WSMA_Whistleblower_Bill_Passes_Senate__Heads_to_Governor_s_Desk">House Bill 1049</a> will expand and align whistleblower protections to non-employed health care professionals and apply these protections in the peer review setting. This legislation was prioritized by the WSMA pursuant to House of Delegates resolutions*. <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1753&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">House Bill 1753</a> will add more transparency to the process of health professions increasing licensure fees, an apt proposal as the <a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190424/last_chance_to_act_medical_commission_releases_rulemaking_for_license_renewal_fee_increase">Washington Medical Commission considers a hefty fee increase on MD and PA licensure renewals</a>. And <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1175&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">House Bill 1175</a> will allow a Washington state health care directive to be notarized as an alternative to signing in the presence of witnesses—bringing state requirements in line with those of the durable power of attorney for health care, and making it easier for patients completing these advance care planning documents.
</p>
<p>
*As a WSMA member, you can help guide the direction of the association by authoring a "resolution," a proposal asking the WSMA to take a position or act on an issue. Resolutions are considered for adoption by the WSMA House of Delegates each fall during its annual meeting. Do you have an idea for a policy that you'd like the House of Delegates to adopt? <a href="https://wsma.org/WSMA/Events/Annual_Meeting/How_to_Write_a_Resolution/WSMA/Events/Annual_Meeting/How_to_Write_a_Resolution/How_to_Write_a_Resolution.aspx?hkey=a22cd977-aaed-4445-9ee2-6fc4716a7136">Learn more about how to write and submit a resolution</a>.
</p>
</div> | 5/8/2019 3:12:26 PM | 5/8/2019 12:00:00 AM |
| public_option_bill_passes_with_rate_setting_provision | Public Option Bill Passes with Rate-Setting Provision | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190508/public_option_bill_passes_with_rate_setting_provision | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-md-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/images/Advocacy/Leg-Session-Updates-Graphic-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" />
</div>
<h5>
May 8, 2019
</h5>
<h2>"Public Option" Bill Passes with Rate-Setting Provision</h2>
<p>
One of the concerning policies passed this session is <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5526&amp;Year=2019&amp;Initiative=false">Senate Bill 5526</a>, priority legislation for Gov. Jay Inslee and majority-party Democrats that will establishes a "public option" health plan offered for sale on the state's health insurance exchange. The WSMA negotiated with legislators throughout session on the bill, <a href="https://wsma.org/WSMA/Shared_Content/News/Weekly_Rounds/2019/Weekly_Rounds__Mar._18__2019_-_A_Public_Option_that_Works_for_Patients_and_Physicians.aspx">strongly opposing</a> any plan option that used rate setting to establish physician reimbursement levels.
</p>
<p>
As originally introduced, SB 5526 would have reimbursed physicians at Medicare rates; the final version of the bill passed by the Legislature and currently awaiting the governor's signature caps reimbursement at 160 percent of Medicare, based on an insurance carrier's average contracted rates. The bill also directs a study of mandating physician participation in the plan (by making a provider's ability to treat state-employee plan enrollees contingent on contracting with the public option plan).
</p>
<p>
While affordability of health insurance is a real problem, a public option that relies on rate setting for establishing physician reimbursement is bad policy: bad for patients and bad for the medical community. Artificially capping provider reimbursement rates at a percentage of Medicare will jeopardize provider participation in the plan, resulting in health plans with extremely limited provider options. And the bill fails to holistically address the cost of health care, with only physicians and health care facilities being required to sacrifice to meet the goals of the plan and no restraints being put on insurance carriers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, or other stakeholders profiting off the plan. WSMA's guidance on public option advocacy was informed by the physicians participating in the WSMA's Health Care Reform Work Group, and we are grateful for their guidance and leadership.
</p>
</div> | 5/8/2019 2:43:51 PM | 5/8/2019 12:00:00 AM |
| session_ends_with_landmark_public_health_wins | Session Ends with Landmark Public Health Wins | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190508/session_ends_with_landmark_public_health_wins | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-md-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/images/Advocacy/Leg-Session-Updates-Graphic-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" />
</div>
<h5>
May 8, 2019
</h5>
<h2>Session Ends with Landmark Public Health Wins</h2>
<p>
Several important victories were achieved this session, including the passage of two landmark public health bills: <a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Latest_News/2019/March/Washington_State_Physicians_Praise_Lawmakers_for_Raising_Purchase_Age_of_Tobacco_and_Vaping_Products">House Bill 1074</a>, which will raise the purchase age for tobacco and vapor products to 21, and <a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Latest_News/2019/April/washingtons_health_care_community_applauds_state_legislature_for_passage_of_mmr_vaccine_bill">House Bill 1638</a>, which will remove the personal and philosophical exemption for the MMR vaccine. Both bills were WSMA priorities and will have the effect of saving lives and improving health outcomes for the people of our state. The WSMA thanks Rep. Paul Harris (R-Vancouver) for introducing both bills and championing them through the legislative process. Additionally, a tax increase on vapor products was enacted, with revenue going to fund foundational public health and cancer research.
</p>
</div> | 5/8/2019 3:08:51 PM | 5/8/2019 12:00:00 AM |
| state_budget_includes_mental_health_investments_b_and_o_increase_passes | State Budget Includes Mental Health Investments, B&O Increase Passes | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190508/state_budget_includes_mental_health_investments_b_and_o_increase_passes | <div class="col-md-12">
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</div>
<h5>
May 8, 2019
</h5>
<h2>State Budget Includes Mental Health Investments, B&amp;O Increase Passes</h2>
<p>
The final state budget adopted by Democrats at the conclusion of the legislative session raises state spending by 18 percent, appropriating $52.4 billion over the two-year period beginning July 1. The spending plan relies on nearly $1 billion in new taxes over the same timeframe, including a 20 percent business and occupation (B&amp;O) tax hike impacting our state's private and independent physician practices.
</p>
<p>
The 20 percent B&amp;O tax hike for independent physicians and other businesses in the "service" category (e.g. attorneys and architects) in <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2158&amp;Year=2019&amp;Initiative=false">House Bill 2158</a> was strongly <a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Latest_News/2019/April/vulnerable_patient_health_care_jeopardized_by_proposed_b_and_o_tax_increase">opposed by the WSMA and a coalition of health care partners</a>. The tax increase will create additional revenue earmarked for higher education, with proponents arguing that professions dependent on practitioners with advanced degrees should pay for the next generation of workforce. Elsewhere, the state's real estate excise tax was revised to apply in a more graduated fashion, and a much-discussed state capital gains tax proposal was ultimately scrapped.
</p>
<p>
Mental health and substance use treatment saw important gains in the final budget, with notable investments including funding to move more 90- and 180-day mental health commitments into the community. In the physician workforce realm, new psychiatric residency positions were created, and funding was continued for physician family practice residencies and health professional student loan repayment.
</p>
</div> | 5/8/2019 2:19:19 PM | 5/8/2019 12:00:00 AM |
| the_good_and_bad_of_new_opioid_legislative_policy | The Good and Bad of New Opioid Legislative Policy | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190508/the_good_and_bad_of_new_opioid_legislative_policy | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-md-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/images/Concepts/Generic_Rx_645px.jpg" class="pull-right" />
</div>
<h5>
May 8, 2019
</h5>
<h2>The Good and Bad of New Opioid Legislative Policy</h2>
<p>
Like in recent legislative sessions, policies to ameliorate the opioid epidemic were a prominent item of discussion in Olympia. Among its numerous provisions, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5380&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">Senate Bill 5380</a> mandates that, beginning in 2021, prescriptions for controlled substances be communicated electronically and that a practice's electronic health record system be integrated with the state's prescription monitoring program. WSMA strongly opposed these mandates due to the cost they will impose on practices; however, we were able to secure exemptions in the event the mandates pose a financial hardship to practices (a waiver process will be created through the state Department of Health). A positive component of the bill was a prohibition on health plans imposing prior authorization for medication-assisted treatment. Provisions relating to limiting safe-injection facilities were considered, but not included in the final bill.
</p>
</div> | 5/8/2019 3:15:51 PM | 5/8/2019 12:00:00 AM |
| wsma_ceo_pens_op_ed_on_challenges_facing_medical_practices_post_session | WSMA CEO Pens Op-ed on Challenges Facing Medical Practices Post-Session | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190508/wsma_ceo_pens_op_ed_on_challenges_facing_medical_practices_post_session | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-md-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/images/Advocacy/Leg-Session-Updates-Graphic-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" />
</div>
<h5>
May 8, 2019
</h5>
<h2>WSMA CEO Pens Op-ed on Challenges Facing Medical Practices Post-Session</h2>
<p>
As the dust settles from the legislative session, amid some notable policy successes lie some new policies that will challenge the financial viability of medical practices throughout the state. WSMA CEO Jennifer Hanscom took to the editorial page of The Seattle Times to articulate our concerns, and those of many physicians we represent:
</p>
<p>
"The challenges are many, and yet those who are called to this honored profession continue to care for us all no matter the price. That is why we are disappointed in some of the decisions made by some Washington state legislators as they wrapped up this year's legislative session. Fiscal decisions were made that will make it harder for independent physicians to stay in practice and serve the patients who need them."
</p>
<p>
"For all the gains we have made in recent years to expand access to affordable health-care coverage, Democrats who control the state Legislature advanced no policy that ensures the financial viability of medical practices. Instead, in the 2019 legislative session, they moved in the opposite direction."
</p>
<p>
"That leaves me — and our physician members — wondering: Do our state legislators recognize the very significant risk to private practice physicians and independent medical groups?"
</p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/public-health-wins-but-physician-practices-lose-in-2019-legislative-session/">Read the full editorial</a>, published May 5, 2019 in The Seattle Times.
</p>
</div> | 5/8/2019 2:17:01 PM | 5/8/2019 12:00:00 AM |
| last_chance_to_act_medical_commission_releases_rulemaking_for_license_renewal_fee_increase | ACT NOW: Public Comments on License Renewal Fee Increase Rulemaking Due May 7 | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190424/last_chance_to_act_medical_commission_releases_rulemaking_for_license_renewal_fee_increase | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-md-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/images/News/take_action_645x425.jpg" class="pull-right" />
</div>
<h5>May 2, 2019
</h5>
<h2>ACT NOW: Public Comments on License Renewal Fee Increase Rulemaking Due May 7</h2>
<p>
The Washington Medical Commission has released its proposed rule to raise license renewal fees for allopathic physicians and physician assistants and is now accepting public feedback. The draft rule proposes a 54 percent increase for MD license renewal (from $657 to $1,012) and a 96 percent increase for PA license renewal (from $202 to $396).
</p>
<p>
The WSMA remains deeply concerned regarding the physician and PA communities' ability to absorb such a dramatic increase in their fees, particularly those clinicians working in primary care, in smaller practices, and those serving in professional shortage areas.
</p>
<p>
Importantly, after a careful review of the breakdown of cost drivers as provided by the commission to support its fee proposal, the WSMA believes strongly that the commission has not sufficiently justified and supported the fee increases. The WSMA has prepared <a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/News and Publications/Newsletters/2019/WMC_Fee_Increase_CR-102_Comment_Letter_May_2019.pdf]">a formal response to the proposed CR-102 rule that details our concerns regarding the commission's justifications</a>.
</p>
<p>
The commission has set a brief timeline for commenting on the proposed rule—<strong>public feedback is due by this Tuesday, May 7</strong>. The date of intended adoption of the rule is May 17.
</p>
<p>
This is the final chance for the physician and medical community at large to object to these fee increases. Let them know how this increase would impact you and tell them you endorse WSMA's formal comment letter (feel free to cut and paste from the letter).
</p>
<p>
To comment:
</p>
<ul>
<li>Review the <a href="https://wmc.wa.gov/sites/default/files/rules/1908090physiciansurgeonfeesrenewalcyclephysicanassistantfees102final.pdf" target="_blank">proposed rule</a> here or by visiting the <a href="https://wmc.wa.gov/policies-rules/rules-and-regulations-progress">Medical Commission rules webpage</a>. </li>
<li>Email your comments by using the Department of Health's Rules Commenting webpage at <a href="https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/policyreview">https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/policyreview</a> (look for WAC 246-919-990).</li>
<li>Submit written comments by mail to Nancy Elliott, c/o Department of Health, P.O. Box 47850, Olympia, WA 98504-7850. </li>
<li>A public hearing on the rules is scheduled for 2 p.m. May 7 at the Department of Health, Town Center 2, Room #158, 111 Israel Road SE, Tumwater, WA 98501. </li>
</ul>
<p>
Thank you for taking action today on behalf of all physicians, PAs, and patient care in Washington state.
</p>
</div> | 4/24/2019 10:46:36 AM | 5/2/2019 12:00:00 AM |
| Urge_Your_Lawmakers__NO_on_SB_5526_ | Urge Your Lawmakers: NO on SB 5526! | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Advocacy_Report/2019/Urge_Your_Lawmakers__NO_on_SB_5526_ | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-md-5 pull-right"><img alt="" src="/images/News/take_action_645x425.jpg" class="pull-right" /></div>
<h5>April 24, 2019
</h5>
<h2>Urge Your Lawmakers: No on Flawed Public Option Bill, SB 5526!</h2>
<p>
The public option health plan bill, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5526&amp;Year=2019&amp;Initiative=false">Senate Bill 5526</a>, is heading for a final vote in the state Legislature this week. If approved, the bill will head to Gov. Jay Inslee for his signature. The WSMA has been unequivocal throughout session: We cannot accept a public option that is predicated on rate setting for physician reimbursement, particularly at a percentage of Medicare. </p>
<p>
<strong>This is our final opportunity to protect our patients from flawed policy that will result in public option insurance plans that don’t have access to physicians. Contact your senator and representatives this week and urge a NO vote on SB 5526 and its rate-setting provision. Don’t wait until it’s too late—act now!</strong>
</p>
<p>
<a href="https://takeaction.wsma.org/public-option-bill-with-rate-setting/" class="TextButton">Learn More &amp; Take Action</a>
</p>
</div> | 4/23/2019 9:33:52 AM | 4/29/2019 10:17:11 AM |
| keep_the_pressure_on_no_b_and_o_tax_increase_on_health_care_services | Keep the Pressure on: No B&O Tax Increase on Health Care Services! | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190424/keep_the_pressure_on_no_b_and_o_tax_increase_on_health_care_services | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-md-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/images/News/take_action_645x425.jpg" class="pull-right" />
</div>
<h5>
April 24, 2019
</h5>
<h2>Keep the Pressure on: No B&amp;O Tax Increase on Health Care Services!</h2>
<p>
State lawmakers are debating legislation, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2158&amp;Year=2019&amp;Initiative=false">House Bill 2158</a>, that would increase the business and occupation tax on health care services from its current rate of 1.5 percent to 1.8 percent - a total increase of 20 percent. The WSMA is adamantly opposed to this proposed B&amp;O tax increase, which, if passed, would disproportionately harm those in private practice and independent medical clinics and ultimately limit access to care. Contact your legislators in the Senate and the House this week and urge them not to pass this unfairly targeted tax increase. Let them know how the tax increase would impact your practice—hearing personal appeals and stories from constituents can make a difference, <a href="https://takeaction.wsma.org/no-bo-tax-increase-on-health-care-services/">so please act today</a>! (Also: Take a brief moment to watch WSMA CEO Jennifer Hanscom testifying against this tax increase before lawmakers in <a href="https://vimeo.com/332134814">our newest "WSMA Making a Difference" video</a>.)
</p>
</div> | 4/24/2019 10:44:37 AM | 4/24/2019 12:00:00 AM |
| Nominations_for_WSMA_Leadership_Due_April_30 | Nominations for WSMA Leadership Due April 30 | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Advocacy_Report/2019/Nominations_for_WSMA_Leadership_Due_April_30 | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>
April 24, 2019
</h5>
<h2>
Nominations for WSMA Leadership: Deadline Extended to May 10
</h2>
<p>The WSMA is now accepting nominations for a variety of positions on the board of trustees. See the 2018-19 board of trustees roster below for a list of positions with terms expiring in 2019.</p>
<p>A demographically representative leadership is crucial to WSMA's success as your premier statewide physician professional association. Serving as a member of the WSMA board of trustees provides physicians an opportunity to get involved and help ensure Washington continues to be the best place to practice medicine and receive care.</p>
<p>Qualifications of nominees and a roster of current board members are below. If you or someone you know is interested in serving, please submit a nomination form, conflict of interest disclosure statement, and candidate information sheet (also below) along with a curriculum vitae to Shannon Bozarth at <a href="mailto:slb@wsma.org">slb@wsma.org</a> (or fax to 206.441.5863) no later than <strong>Friday, May 10 (note new deadline).</strong>.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/About/Leadership/WSMA_BOT_qualifications_2019.pdf]">Qualifications</a> </li>
<li><a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/About/Leadership/WSMA_BOT_roster_2019.pdf]">2018-19 WSMA board of trustees roster</a> </li>
<li><a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/About/Leadership/WSMA_BOT_nomination_form_2019.pdf]">Nomination form</a> </li>
<li><a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/About/Leadership/WSMA_BOT_disclosure_form_2019.pdf]">Conflict of interest disclosure statement</a> </li>
<li><a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/About/Leadership/WSMA_BOT_candidate_info_sheet_2019.pdf]">Candidate information sheet</a> </li>
</ul>
<p>The WSMA nominating committee will meet in early June to prepare a slate of nominees for presentation to the House of Delegates at the <a href="[@]WSMA/Events/Annual_Meeting/Annual_Meeting.aspx">WSMA Annual Meeting</a>, Oct. 12-13, at the Hilton Seattle Airport &amp; Conference Center.</p>
<p>Additional nominations may be made from the floor of the House of Delegates during the annual meeting. All nominees must submit a CV, conflict of interest disclosure statement, and candidate information sheet to the WSMA in advance of the election.</p>
</div> | 3/18/2019 1:46:32 PM | 4/24/2019 12:00:00 AM |
| state_proposes_changes_to_public_health_reporting_requirements | State Proposes Changes to Public Health Reporting Requirements | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190424/state_proposes_changes_to_public_health_reporting_requirements | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-md-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/images/Concepts/doctor_tablet_steth-foreground_645px.jpg" class="pull-right" />
</div>
<h5>
April 24, 2019
</h5>
<h2>State Proposes Changes to Public Health Reporting Requirements</h2>
<p>
The state Board of Health and Department of Health are conducting rulemaking and are accepting public feedback on proposed changes to requirements related to notifiable conditions, those patient diagnoses physicians and other providers are required to report to the state for public health purposes. As the draft rule may constitute an administrative burden, the WSMA is encouraging clinician review and input on the state's proposal.
</p>
<p>
The draft rule and related details are available on the <a href="https://www.doh.wa.gov/ForPublicHealthandHealthcareProviders/NotifiableConditions/RuleMaking">DOH website</a>. The rulemaking would add notification and specimen submission requirements for new conditions and conditions currently identified as "other rare diseases of public health significance." The purpose of these changes is to simplify and improve usability of the rules in order to increase reporting for these conditions, and to better protect public health by improving the understanding of emerging conditions, allowing more thorough case investigations, and improving the public health response to disease.
</p>
<p>
To comment on the draft rule, email <a href="mailto:notifiableconditions@sboh.wa.gov">notifiableconditions@sboh.wa.gov</a> with the subject line "Notifiable Conditions" by Monday, April 29. This is the first opportunity to comment; there will be a second opportunity when the next round of rulemaking on this issue is released.
</p>
</div> | 4/24/2019 11:01:34 AM | 4/24/2019 12:00:00 AM |
| washington_set_to_become_34th_state_to_ban_personal_exemptions_for_mmr_vaccines | Washington Set to Become 34th State to Ban Personal Exemptions for MMR Vaccines | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190424/washington_set_to_become_34th_state_to_ban_personal_exemptions_for_mmr_vaccines | <div class="col-md-12">
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</div>
<h5>
April 24, 2019
</h5>
<h2>Washington Set to Become 34th State to Ban Personal Exemptions for MMR Vaccines</h2>
<p>
<em>[Update May 10, 2019: Gov. Inslee has signed the bill, with Alan Melnick, MD, MPH, WSMA member and Public Health Director and Clark County Health Officer, in attendance.]</em><br />
In a major victory for public health in our state, lawmakers in the Legislature have approved <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1638&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">House Bill 1638</a>, which will increase immunization rates in Washington communities by eliminating the personal and philosophical exemption for children's measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The bill now heads to Gov. Jay Inslee for his signature.
</p>
<p>
The bill passed the Senate last week with a vote of 25 to 22, with two excused, with lawmakers managing to <a href="https://www.bainbridgereview.com/news/exemption-removed-for-measles-shots-2019-legislative-session/">fend off multiple last-minute attempts to water down the bill language with amendments or delay passage altogether</a>. Returning to the House for a final vote, HB 1638 passed out of the Legislature this week with a vote of 56 to 40. WSMA legislative staff expect the governor to sign the bill in the days ahead.
</p>
<p>
Washington will become the 34th state that disallows personal and philosophical exemptions for MMR vaccinations required for school entries once the governor signs this essential legislation into law. Children with medical contraindications to vaccines can still be granted exemptions.
</p>
<p>
Physician advocacy has been essential throughout the legislative session in advancing this bill, through testimony before lawmakers, media outreach, and direct action. Thank you to all who have provided testimony and responded to our calls to action on this issue—your actions have made a difference.
</p>
</div> | 4/24/2019 10:49:49 AM | 4/24/2019 12:00:00 AM |
| Watch_This__WSMA_Special_Report_on_Whistleblower_Bill_Signing | Watch This: WSMA Special Report on Whistleblower Bill Signing | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Advocacy_Report/2019/Watch_This__WSMA_Special_Report_on_Whistleblower_Bill_Signing | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-md-5 pull-right"><a href="https://vimeo.com/331495694"><img alt="" src="/images/Advocacy/Legislative-Special-Report-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" /></a></div>
<h5>April 22, 2019
</h5>
<h2>Watch This: WSMA Special Report on Whistleblower Bill Signing</h2>
<p>
</p>
<p>WSMA physicians were at the capital last Friday to be in the room as Gov. Jay Inslee signed <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1049&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">House Bill 1049</a>, which provides protections for health care provider whistleblowers, into law. <a href="https://vimeo.com/331495694">Watch our special report on the bill signing</a>.</p>
</div> | 4/22/2019 1:53:03 PM | 4/22/2019 12:00:00 AM |
| Call_to_Action__Urge_One_Final_YES_Vote_on_Vaccine_Bill_HB_1638 | Call to Action! Urge One Final YES Vote on Vaccine Bill HB 1638 | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Advocacy_Report/2019/Call_to_Action__Urge_One_Final_YES_Vote_on_Vaccine_Bill_HB_1638 | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-md-5 pull-right"><img alt="" src="/images/News/take_action_645x425.jpg" class="pull-right" /></div>
<h5>April 19, 2019
</h5>
<h2>Call to Action! Urge One Final YES Vote on Vaccine Bill HB 1638</h2>
<p>
In a major victory for public health in our state, lawmakers in the state Senate have approved <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1638&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">House Bill 1638</a>, which will increase immunization rates in Washington communities by eliminating the personal and philosophical exemption for children’s measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. However, our work isn’t done: HB 1638 now returns to the House for one final vote before heading to Gov. Inslee’s desk for his signature.</p>
<p>
<strong>Please act today: Contact your representatives in the House and urge a final YES vote for HB 1638 (and thank your senator for passing it out of the Senate)!</strong>
</p>
<p>
Physician advocacy on this issue has been crucial to our success so far—we must not stop now. Thank you for taking action today.
</p>
<p>
<a href="https://takeaction.wsma.org/mmr-exemption-hb-1638/" class="TextButton">Take Action</a>
</p>
</div> | 4/19/2019 2:12:52 PM | 4/19/2019 12:00:00 AM |
| Watch_This__WSMA_Legislative_Update_with_Katie_Kolan_April8-12 | Watch This: WSMA Legislative Update with Katie Kolan | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Advocacy_Report/2019/Watch_This__WSMA_Legislative_Update_with_Katie_Kolan_April8-12 | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-md-5 pull-right"><a href="https://vimeo.com/330510167"><img alt="" src="/images/Advocacy/WSMALegislativeUpdateVideo_645x425-2.jpg" class="pull-right" /></a></div>
<h5>April 15, 2019
</h5>
<h2>Watch This: WSMA Legislative Update with Katie Kolan</h2>
<p>
</p>
<p>In this week's legislative update video, WSMA Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Katie Kolan covers the top five "what you need to know" issues as the regular legislative session enters its final stretch: 1. a call to action on the public option; 2. the MMR vaccination bill; 3. the governor's opioid legislation; 4. Tobacco21 bill signed; and 5. budget negotiations and the potential of a special session. Check out this week's video <a href="https://vimeo.com/330510167">here</a>&nbsp;and find archived videos <a href="https://vimeo.com/album/5835487">here</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div> | 4/15/2019 9:32:52 AM | 4/15/2019 10:42:52 AM |
| WSMA_Whistleblower_Bill_Passes_Senate__Heads_to_Governor_s_Desk | WSMA Whistleblower Bill Passes Senate, Heads to Governor's Desk | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Advocacy_Report/2019/WSMA_Whistleblower_Bill_Passes_Senate__Heads_to_Governor_s_Desk | <div class="col-md-12">
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</div>
<h5>
April 12, 2019
</h5>
<h2>WSMA Whistleblower Bill Passes Senate, Heads to Governor's Desk</h2>
<p><em>[Update April 23, 2019: Gov. Inslee has signed the bill during a ceremony with several WSMA member physicians in attendance. See our <a href="https://vimeo.com/331495694">WSMA Special Report video</a> for more.]</em>
</p>
<p>
<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1049&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2019">House Bill 1049</a>, which will make it safer for physicians in Washington to speak up against wrongful actions, has passed out of the Senate with a unanimous vote, and now heads to Gov. Jay Inslee's desk for his signature.
</p>
<p>
The bill will provide the necessary protections and clarifications to make it easier for health care workers to speak out when they witness wrongdoing, without fear of retaliation and regardless of employment status or relationship to an organization. Provisions of HB 1049 will:
</p>
<ul>
<li>Ensure nonemployed physicians have the same protections regarding peer review and whistleblowing as employed physicians.</li>
<li>Provide protection of the identity of physician whistleblowers, protection from retaliation, and legal remedies, including the ability to file suit seeking damages and attorneys' fees. </li>
<li>Give physicians the ability to seek an injunction in some cases to regain a position or privileges in case a physician has been kicked off a medical staff in a process conducted improperly. </li>
<li>Amend the peer review chapter of the Washington statutes to require that any medical staff sanction process that may result in the revocation, suspension, or reduction of medical staff privileges or membership be conducted in accordance with medical staff bylaws.</li>
<li>Require that peer review be conducted according to criteria in the federal Healthcare Quality Improvement Act. The law was established in 1986 to encourage good faith professional review activities of health care entities. </li>
</ul>
<p>
The bill's provisions, written in response to resolutions from the 2016 WSMA House of Delegates meeting, were brought to legislators by the WSMA. The governor is expected to sign the legislation into law. Thanks to the many WSMA delegates and members for their support of this issue!
</p>
</div> | 4/12/2019 2:22:37 PM | 4/12/2019 12:00:00 AM |
| call_to_action_support_amendment_to_wrongful_death_bill | Call to Action! Support Amendment to Wrongful Death Bill | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190410/call_to_action_support_amendment_to_wrongful_death_bill | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-md-5 pull-right"><img alt="" src="/images/News/take_action_645x425.jpg" class="pull-right" /></div>
<h5>April 12, 2019
</h5>
<h2>Keep the Pressure On: Act Now on Public Option and Wrongful Death Bills</h2>
<p><em>[Note: Article updated April 12, 2019]</em></p>
<p>
We need you to take action on two important bills being considered by Washington lawmakers: Tell your lawmakers "no" to Senate Bill 5526, the public option bill with physician rate setting, and urge them to support an important amendment to Senate Bill 5163, the wrongful death bill, that would limit a defendant’s liability to only their proportional fault. Your voice is crucial to this debate - please act today!
</p>
<h3>Public option: NO on SB 5526</h3>
<p>
Lawmakers in Olympia this year have been considering legislation to establish a public option health insurance plan that would be offered for sale on the state’s health insurance exchange. Affordability of health insurance is an important issue, and the WSMA has been actively participating in these negotiations, trying to increase and improve the insurance options available to our patients while vehemently opposing any public option solution that relies on rate setting for physician reimbursement. </p>
<p>
In its current form, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5526&amp;Year=2019&amp;Initiative=false">SB 5526</a> would establish a public option that caps reimbursement to physicians at a percentage of Medicare (150 percent, based on an insurance carrier’s aggregate reimbursement to health care providers and facilities). The bill would also direct a study of how physician participation in the plan could be mandated in future years. Finally, the current version of the bill removes a provision limiting how much carriers can profit from offering the plan—meaning that only physicians and hospitals would be asked to sacrifice to make the public option viable. </p>
<p><strong>Act today: Contact your state senator and urge them to oppose SB 5526 and any public option that includes a rate cap for physician reimbursement.
</strong></p>
<p>
<a href="https://takeaction.wsma.org/public-option/" class="TextButton">Take Action</a>
</p>
<h3>Wrongful death: Support amendment to establish reasonable limit to liability</h3>
<p>
<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5163&amp;Year=2019&amp;Initiative=false">SB 5163</a>, pertaining to wrongful death lawsuits, would broadly expand who can sue in cases of wrongful death and what types of damages they can recover—and as a result, dramatically increase physicians’ liability.
</p>
<p>
The WSMA and a broad coalition of health care industry partners support an amendment to SB 5163 that would limit a defendant’s liability to only their proportional fault, rather than apply the current joint and several liability law to this new group of people who would be able to bring a suit. We think this amendment is a much more reasonable approach: It allows accountability for those who have not been able to sue under existing law but holds defendants responsible for only their proportion of fault.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Act today: Contact your state House representatives and urge them to support the amendment to SB 5163.
</strong></p>
<p>
<a href="https://takeaction.wsma.org/wrongful-death/" class="TextButton">Take Action</a>
</p>
</div> | 4/8/2019 2:48:48 PM | 4/10/2019 12:00:00 AM |
| gov_inslee_signs_tobacco_21_legislation | Gov. Inslee Signs Tobacco 21 Legislation | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190410/gov_inslee_signs_tobacco_21_legislation | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-md-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/images/News/Bill-Progress-Graphics-HB1074-T21-Signed-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" />
</div>
<h5>
April 10, 2019
</h5>
<h2>Gov. Inslee Signs Tobacco 21 Legislation </h2>
<p>
Gov. Jay Inslee has signed House Bill 1074, raising the age of sale for tobacco and vapor products in Washington state from 18 to 21 and solidifying a major victory for public health and for physician advocacy in our state. "This is the fifth legislative session where Washington's physicians have fought for policy to raise the tobacco and vaping purchasing age. In this instance, the fifth time's the charm," said WSMA President Tom Schaaf, MD, in a <a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Latest_News/2019/March/Washington_State_Physicians_Praise_Lawmakers_for_Raising_Purchase_Age_of_Tobacco_and_Vaping_Products">press release</a>. "It's a reminder to all of us that the health and well-being of our patients, families, and loved ones is worth fighting for, no matter how long and hard the fight." The new law takes effect on Jan. 1, 2020.
</p>
</div> | 4/10/2019 11:36:47 AM | 4/10/2019 12:00:00 AM |