2023 WSMA Legislative Priorities

The 2023 Washington state legislative session begins on Monday, Jan. 9 for a “long” session, lasting 105 days. All signs indicate that lawmakers will convene in-person, while maintaining some opportunities for virtual participation. This year’s session will feature a new chair of the House Health Care & Wellness Committee and will require legislators to write the two-year state budget.

The WSMA’s Outreach & Advocacy Report, containing updates about WSMA’s advocacy efforts in Olympia and opportunities for engagement, will be disseminated on a weekly basis during session, typically each Friday. WSMA members who would like to opt in to receive the WSMA OA Report may email chelsea@wsma.org.

WSMA Legislative Priorities During the 2023 Session

While the WSMA will engage on a variety of issues impacting the house of medicine during the 2023 session, here is a small preview of pending priority fiscal and policy issues expected to be considered:

• Fiscal
  • Across-the-board Medicaid reimbursement rate increases
  • Health care workforce and physician residency funding
  • Foundational Public Health Services
  • Taxes
• Policy
  • Standardizing the prior authorization process
  • Ensuring access to abortion and reproductive health care services  
  • Preventing numerous inappropriate scope-of-practice increases
  • Addressing gun violence

Video preview of the 2023 legislative session and WSMA’s legislative agenda

Sean Graham and Alex Wehinger of WSMA's government affairs team hosted an Advocacy Council meeting on Dec. 13 to review how the outcomes of the midterm elections will impact the Legislature’s dynamic, as well as sharing WSMA’s 2023 priority fiscal and policy legislative agenda and broader legislative landscape.

Important Dates to Keep in Mind

Jan. 9: First day of 2023 legislative session

Feb. 3: 2023 WSMA Legislative Summit at the Capitol – register here!

April 23: Last day of the regular session

Meet WSMA's Team in Olympia

The WSMA has an experienced, dedicated team in Olympia that works every day to educate lawmakers and other state officials on physicians' priorities. Visit the WSMA staff page to meet our government affairs and policy staff and find their contact information. If you have any questions about our legislative and regulatory advocacy, contact staff directly, or contact the WSMA Olympia office at 360.352.4848 or wsma@wsma.org.