WSMA Raises Concerns Over Proposal to Apply Charity Care to Physicians

Responding to a Department of Health proposal to impose charity care requirements on physicians delivering care in hospital settings, the WSMA provided comment detailing potential adverse impacts on patients’ access to care and the viability of physician groups.

Charity care requirements have been in place for hospitals for decades and specific standards in our state were set by the Legislature in 1989. Washington state law is clear in applying charity care requirements to hospitals. But implementing recently passed bills, the Department is expanding the obligation to provide charity care to all “medically necessary” care that is delivered in a hospital, including the professional fees charged by physicians and non-physician healthcare providers.

While the WSMA acknowledges the impact that the cost of healthcare can have on patients, we strongly oppose this rule. The WSMA is unaware of any other state that extends charity care requirements to physician fees. It’s inappropriate to do so as the business operations of hospitals and physician groups are not analogous. It’s unclear how physician groups would comply with the law as all state regulations are hospital specific. And it appears to be out of accordance with state law that specifically and exclusively requires hospitals to provide charity care.

The WSMA will continue to work to oppose the proposed rule in its current form. If you would like more information on this rule or to be included in updates on its status, email WSMA Senior Director of Government Affairs & Policy Sean Graham.