2026 WSMA House of Delegates Sets Policy on AI, Prior Authorization, Primary Care Access
The 137th Annual Meeting of the WSMA House of Delegates commenced on time Saturday morning, Sept. 26, despite dust storms and traffic delaying the arrival of some members and staff.
Acting WSMA Speaker Ray Hsiao, MD, called the House to order on Saturday. Among the routine table setting of the House, seated delegates heard from state Secretary of Health Dennis Worsham with update on his first year on the job, emphasizing his gratitude for the shared goals between the department of health, the WSMA, and physicians across the state.
After Saturday morning’s House session, reference committees proceeded with delegates debating and fine-tuning the more than 60 proposed resolutions up for discussion, the goal being to help the House make the best, most informed decisions possible on Sunday.
This year’s in-person reference committee hearings featured a few significant changes: namely, the reference committees proceeded sequentially, each presenting a preliminary report based on virtual reference committee testimony collected in the weeks before the meeting and presented as a consent calendar with opportunities for delegates to extract and discuss individual items.
The goal of the sequential hearings was to allow greater participation in the hearings; similarly, the greater emphasis on the virtual reference committee allows for greater participation by delegates and members, with the preliminary reports helping to streamline discussions at the meeting.
Delegates debated and fine-tuned more than 60 proposed resolutions, the goal being to help the House make the best, most informed decisions possible on Sunday.
Attendees disbursed for lunch, with many attending the WAMPAC Luncheon, where they heard from Rep. Joe Schmick (R-Colfax) and Rep. Dan Bronoske (D-Lakewood)—respectively the lead Republican and Democrat on the House Health Care & Wellness Committee—on what’s to come in the 2027 state legislative session. Rep. Bronoske was also presented with WSMA’s 2026 Legislator of the Year Award.
Convening back in the main ballroom, outgoing president Bridget Bush, MD, presented the 2026 Apple Awards, recognizing members for their advocacy efforts, patient safety initiatives, and service to the profession. See our press announcement for the winners and photos of the award recipients.
Keynote speaker Vin Gupta, MD, then took the stage, speaking on the intersections of health technology, the role of artificial intelligence in patient care; and health communication and trust with the public and patients; followed by Lasé Ajayi, MD, American Medical Association board chair, speaking on the importance of physician advocacy.
This year’s special event was the WSMA Foundation Fundraising Gala on Saturday evening. Dr. Bush passed the president’s gavel, plaque, and medallion to 2026-2027 President Matt Hollon, MD, MPH; Rod Trytko, MD, MPH, was recognized for his many years of service on the AMA delegation; and Foundation President Bindu Nayak, MD, introduced Isabela Lydston, recipient of the Foundation’s inaugural Future Physician Scholarship. The featured auction raised $35,000 for the WSMA Foundation Scholarship and Diversity Advancement Fund (it’s never too late to donate).
On Sunday morning, Dr. Hollon addressed members in a powerful inaugural speech, relating the importance of telling the full story of medicine—not only the frustrations and headaches, but the joy that comes from making human connections with patients. Read a transcript of Dr. Hollon’s address, watch the video or download the podcast (also available on Spotify and Apple).
Then, the business of the House commenced, with delegates making final decisions on all business before the House, approving numerous policies helping to guide the WSMA’s engagement on important issue areas such as prior authorization, AI, primary care access, and liability reform. Stay tuned for the final report of the official actions of the 2026 WSMA House of Delegates, to be published shortly.
Did you miss out on serving as a delegate at WSMA’s “physician legislature” this year? Mark your calendar now for next year’s meeting, scheduled for Sept. 25-26 at the Westin Bellevue.