Reform - General
The WSMA reaffirms its negotiating principles of proportional linkage of
access and cost control in its dealings related to reform issues. (EC Rpt
C, A-92) (Reaffirmed A-23)
The ability of health care organizations to work together, without fear of
anti-trust actions, in the interest of economics of scale and
organizational capacity, to deliver efficient care. (Reaffirmed A-23)
Not ruling out the possibility of a single payer system, either
governmental or private (i.e. through a bidding process), to provide the
basic health care benefits. (Reaffirmed A-23)
An adequate supply and distribution of primary care physicians. This
should be accomplished by increasing funding to primary care training and
assistance programs and by removing financial disincentives to primary
care. (Reaffirmed A-23)
Collective bargaining by physicians within the "system" with respect to
payment and working conditions if payment schedules are imposed along with
defined practice patterns. (Res 1, S-91) (Reaffirmed A-23)
The WSMA will continue to support legislation requiring all citizens of
the state of Washington to have health insurance coverage for a generally
accepted “basic” package of benefits with such a mandate coupled with
appropriate incentives to encourage citizens to gain coverage and be
“needs tested” so that society ensures access to coverage for low income
citizens. (BT Rpt J, A-01; EC Rpt F, A-02) (Reaffirmed A-23)
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Abbreviations for House of Delegates report origination:
EC – Executive Committee; BT – Board of Trustees; CPA – Council on
Professional Affairs; JC – Judicial Council; CHS – Community and Health
Services