| after_wsma_urging_doh_further_delays_pmp_integration_mandate | After WSMA Urging, DOH Further Delays PMP Integration Mandate | Opioids | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2021/May_14/after_wsma_urging_doh_further_delays_pmp_integration_mandate | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>May 14, 2021</h5>
<h2>After WSMA Urging, DOH Further Delays PMP Integration Mandate </h2>
<p>Washington state Secretary of Health Umair Shah, MD, MPH, has delayed the state's requirement for practices with 10 or more prescribers to integrate their electronic health records with the state prescription monitoring program until January 2022. Dr. Shah announced the delay in response to <a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2021/April_23/wsma_letter_to_secretary_shah_regarding_pmp_integration?_zs=A3aFd1&amp;_zl=si3b7">WSMA advocacy</a> and due to the health care system's ongoing efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>
<p>Former state Secretary of Health John Wiesman initially delayed the implementation of this requirement from</p>
<p>Jan. 1, 2021 to Sept. 30, 2021 at WSMA's request, and Dr. Shah has further delayed the implementation requirement. The electronic prescribing of controlled substances requirement was established by Senate Bill 5380 from 2019.</p>
</div> | 5/14/2021 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| weekly_rounds_april_30_2021_making_progress_through_advocacy | Weekly Rounds: April 30, 2021 - Making Progress Through Advocacy | Opioids | Shared_Content/News/Weekly_Rounds/2021/weekly_rounds_april_30_2021_making_progress_through_advocacy | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>April 30, 2021</h5>
<h2>Making Progress Through Advocacy</h2>
<p>Jennifer Hanscom, Executive Director/CEO</p>
<p>
Time has a way of marching on, as evidenced by the changing seasons of the Pacific Northwest and the refreshing signs of spring all around us. Even a pandemic can't change nature's progress, though it has clearly changed our behavior. Now more than a year on, most of us have learned to adapt and establish new behaviors like wearing masks, limiting social interactions, and keeping our distance.
</p>
<p>
But we have seen patient behaviors change along the way as well, with some delaying care, often to the detriment of their health. In the July/August issue of <em>WSMA Reports</em> we will explore how COVID-19 has impacted those behaviors, particularly the associated effects of postponing visits or annual checkups. Just recently, Crosscut published <a href="https://crosscut.com/politics/2021/04/poll-washingtonians-arent-quite-ready-post-pandemic-normal">Elway poll results</a> on Washingtonians' views on everyday behaviors during the pandemic. It's interesting reading.
</p>
<p>
In other news you'll want to know, here are three items of note:
</p>
<h3>As session ends, big wins for WSMA priorities</h3>
<p>
The 2021 Washington state legislative session ended last Sunday. It was an unprecedented session in that the Legislature met completely virtually—and did so successfully. I am proud to report that the WSMA achieved a 100% success rate in passing our priority policies and defending against those we opposed. On the budget side, generational investments were made in health care, including $140 million for Medicaid rate increases and nearly $150 million for foundational public health services in the next two years alone.
</p>
<p>
Kudos to our Olympia team for an incredible job, and thanks to our members who took time to testify or respond to our calls to action. Further, in addition to WSMA's <a href="[@]WSMA/About_Us/Leadership/Executive_Committee/WSMA/About/Leadership/Executive_Committee/Executive_Committee.aspx?hkey=1c7411ed-4943-4ccf-9929-d3669b24cef1&amp;_zs=B3aFd1&amp;_zl=jNvb7">executive committee</a> and <a href="[@]WSMA/About_Us/Leadership/Board_of_Trustees/WSMA/About/Leadership/Board_of_Trustees/Board_of_Trustees.aspx?hkey=0abc484b-c165-4fb1-90b5-1f72370b18d2&amp;_zs=B3aFd1&amp;_zl=kNvb7">board of trustees</a> providing valuable guidance and direction, our new legislative steering committee met with our Olympia team weekly to help us understand the practical impact of particular bills on the practice and business of medicine. We're grateful to the members of that committee for the time they gave to WSMA's legislative process this year:
</p>
<ul>
<li>Rodney Anderson, MD, Family Care Network</li>
<li>Barbara Detering, MD, Washington Permanente Medical Group</li>
<li>Nariman Heshmati, MD, The Everett Clinic</li>
<li>Garrett Jeffery, DO, PeaceHealth</li>
<li>Linda Kampp, MD, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health</li>
<li>Ryan Nachreiner, MD, Providence</li>
<li>Chris Quarles, MD, CHI Franciscan</li>
<li>Keren Rosenblum, MD, Vancouver Clinic</li>
<li>Katina Rue, DO, Community Health of Central Washington</li>
<li>John Scott, MD, UW Medicine</li>
<li>Doug Wilson, MD, Confluence Health</li>
</ul>
<p>
To get the inside scoop on this year's session and WSMA's priorities, don't miss our <a href="https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJArcu-tqDgsHNF_ASfe4cCORSiKzadx5YI1">wrap-up webinar</a> hosted by the Olympia team on Friday, May 7 at noon, <a href="[@]Shared_Content/News/Latest_News/2021/wsma_sees_100_percent_success_rate_among_2021_legislative_priorities?_zs=B3aFd1&amp;_zl=mNvb7">read more here</a>, or keep an eye on your mailbox for our year-end Legislative Report.
</p>
<h3>Final budget includes audit of Washington Medical Commission</h3>
<p>
For the past year and a half, we have been receiving a steady stream of complaints from WSMA members who were not able to work due to delays in the licensure process at the Washington Medical Commission. We want you to know that we hear you and have actively been working on this issue with the leadership at the commission. And while the WSMA continues to work with commission staff in understanding the root causes of the delays—especially the fingerprinting process at the Washington State Patrol—we were encouraged to see that the Legislature included a budget provision to take a deep dive into the process by including a performance audit of the commission. Specifically, the state auditor's office is directed to: "… conduct a performance audit, which must address the length of time required to license individuals and comparatively analyze disciplinary processes with those of other states. The audit should address the obstacles contributing to inefficiencies and make recommendations for improvement." We will keep you apprised of developments as this progresses.
</p>
<h3>Big barrier reduced when prescribing buprenorphine</h3>
<p>
This week new practice guidelines were released that omit the eight-hour training requirement previously necessary to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder for physicians and providers who treat 30 or fewer patients for the condition. The training is still required for physicians, physician assistants, and other providers treating more than 30 patients at one time. To read more, <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2021/04/27/hhs-releases-new-buprenorphine-practice-guidelines-expanding-access-to-treatment-for-opioid-use-disorder.html">click here</a>. The new guidelines took effect on April 28. WSMA's advocacy on this was directed by policy that passed at the 2019 WSMA House of Delegates.
</p>
<p>
As you can see, your WSMA is always on the job supporting you and your interests. When you speak up, we not only listen, we take action. Your membership makes all the difference. Thank you!
</p>
</div> | 4/30/2021 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| wsma_letter_to_secretary_shah_regarding_pmp_integration | WSMA Letter to Secretary Shah Regarding PMP Integration | Opioids | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2021/April_23/wsma_letter_to_secretary_shah_regarding_pmp_integration | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>April 23, 2021</h5>
<h2>WSMA Letter to Secretary Shah Regarding PMP Integration </h2>
<p>Given the difficulty accessing and navigating the state's prescription monitoring program in the limited context of a patient encounter, your WSMA has focused its efforts in recent years on facilitating integration of practice electronic health records with the state PMP. Last week, the WSMA sent a letter to Washington State Secretary of Health Umair Shah, MD, MPH, outlining the unique challenges Washington state physicians face with integration and requesting changes to address those barriers.</p>
<p>In the letter, the WSMA requests that the following be addressed regarding PMP integration requirements: </p>
<ul>
<li>Amend DOH policy to allow for additional cost-effective, low-barrier PMP integration options. </li>
<li>Utilize federal funding to offset significant costs of SB 5380 integration mandate.</li>
<li>Delay the implementation of SB 5380 integration mandate due to the COVID-19 pandemic.</li>
</ul>
<p>For details, read the <a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/News and Publications/Newsletters/2021/WSMA_PMP_request_04132021.pdf]">official letter</a>, delivered on April 13, 2021. The WSMA continues to greatly value our partnership with the Department of Health in addressing the opioid epidemic. Our joint efforts, including the Better Prescribing, Better Treatment initiative, have significantly improved opioid prescribing in our state. Addressing the barriers outlined in our letter will help us achieve our joint goal of increasing the number of PMP checks before prescribing controlled substances.</p>
<p>With questions, please contact WSMA's policy team at <a href="mailto:policy@wsma.org">policy@wsma.org</a>.</p>
</div> | 4/23/2021 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |