Your Care Is at Our Core

Physicians are compassionate healers and their patients’ biggest allies. They persevered through years of medical school and residency to build connections with patients and provide the highest quality of care. However, all too often, physicians find themselves stuck between a desire to connect with patients and a need to navigate seemingly endless red tape and bureaucracy or a politicized environment riddled with misleading or incorrect health information.

From insurer prior authorizations to payer reimbursements that don’t cover the cost of care, physicians are increasingly being asked to seek approval and to do more with less. They face growing challenges ignited by battles over the COVID-19 pandemic, prevalence of mis- and dis-information, and the politicalization of health care. All of these factors lead to intrusions into the patient-physician relationship and it's physicians who are often left with the blame.

The best days for physicians come when they are close at hand with their patients, facing challenges head on and providing support to patients in their journey to health. Physicians’ worst days come when they spend valuable time fighting with third parties or politicized health information to ensure patients can access the care they need.

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The patient-doctor relationship is essential

Physicians and patients agree that the patient-doctor relationship is essential to making the best health care decisions. They know that establishing a meaningful relationship is necessary to building trust and providing the most effective care and treatment. After all, physicians are supporting their patients through some of the most vulnerable moments in their lives.

Join us in pushing back against the bureaucratic red tape of health care and advocating for what matters most: time for physicians to connect with their patients.

News, Op-eds, Podcasts, and More

Patients and physicians agree: Prior authorizations are increasingly coming between their decisions on the best course of care. That's why the WSMA is grateful to see Washington state Sen. Tina Orwall’s bill adopting common-sense guardrails for the use of AI in prior authorization processes signed into law. As WSMA Vice President Dr. Bindu Nayak says, "SB 5395 advances the goal of keeping patient care in the hands of physicians and not opaque AI systems.” #YourCareIsatOurCore

Gregory Engel, MD, MPH, is vice president for education with Ceasefire Northwest, a nonprofit organization that partners with schools across Washington to provide evidence-based education on firearm injury prevention. For Dr. Engel, equipping young people with facts and practical skills means empowering them to make safer choices for themselves and for others. #YourCareIsatOurCore

Everett internist Elizabeth Westling, MD, believes her role as a healer and ally to her patients is one of the most important parts of her identity as a physician. #YourCareIsatOurCore

For Seattle internist Cathrine Wheeler, MD, her yearly vaccine conversation with her elderly parents was more fraught than ever. Recent national regulatory changes have created new complexities and barriers. Patients are confused and skeptical; doctors are frustrated and worried. As frustrating as it is, for Dr. Wheeler, there is hope. #YourCareIsatOurCore

Here’s Dr. Keren Rosenblum, an OB-GYN: “Acetaminophen is one of the few options available to pregnant patients. It remains one of the safest and best ways to manage fever and pain, which can be harmful to individuals and their babies if left untreated.” Read more of Dr. Rosenblum’s thoughts on The Vancouver Clinic’s website and remember to talk to your doctor if you have questions about your care. #YourCareIsatOurCore

For Patricia Egwuatu, DO, having conversations about evidence-based health information through her Instagram and TikTok accounts came as a natural extension of her commitment to advocacy and education. Her reach on social media has led to an even bigger platform: A regular contributor on Fox 13's "Healthy Living" television segment. Learn more about Dr. Egwuatu's passion project and why physicians continue to be the best messengers for fact-based health care information. #YourCareIsatOurCore

Lacey addiction medicine specialist Dr. Cindy Grande exemplifies the best in medicine and patient care, making a difference both in the lives of her patients and in the world of health policy, but always with patients at the center of her concerns. Learn more about Dr. Grande’s work in treating opioid use disorder. #YourCareIsatOurCore

Dr. Beth Ebel, president of the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, was interviewed by KOMO-TV’s Preston Phillips for ARC Seattle’s evening program, airing on Feb. 18, 2025. Dr. Ebel discussed why the physician community has united to urge the Washington State Legislature to pass the Medicaid Access Program in House Bill 1392 and Senate Bill 5372, a funding plan proposed by the Washington State Medical Association (WSMA) that will bring approximately $400 million per year in federal funding to Washington state and help increase access to primary and specialty services for our state’s children and adults. #YourCareisAtOurCore. Watch the interview (Originally aired on ARC Seattle, Feb. 18, 2025.)

Imagine a process that delayed needed care, relied on outdated technology, and drove up costs for physician practices and patients, yet in the vast majority of cases led to no change in the course of treatment. As it turns out, you don't have to imagine. That process exists: prior authorization. This archived WSMA Reports magazine feature story from 2023 ("Breaking Through the Red Tape" by John Gallagher) highlights the impact excessive insurer prior authorization practices have on patient care. While some progress has been made since this story was written, much of the problems outlined in the article remain a fact of life for physicians and patients today, and physicians continue to fight these practices to help ensure their patients receive needed and timely care. #YourCareisAtOurCore.

Physicians are patients’ biggest allies, and they are fighting to ensure Washingtonians have timely access to the care they need and deserve. In this op-ed and podcast, WSMA Past President Nariman Heshmati, MD, and WSMA CEO Jennifer Hanscom make the case that the loss of outpatient services in our state—essential services relied upon by all Washingtonians for wellness, preventive, and chronic care management—needs greater attention from our media and policymakers. #YourCareisAtOurCore.

Read the op-ed (Originally published in The Seattle Times on May 20, 2024 and featured in the July/August 2024 issue of WSMA Reports, WSMA's print magazine.)

Listen to the podcast (Read by WSMA President Nariman Heshmati, MD. Release date: Aug. 2, 2024. Also available on Spotify and as an MP3.)

Video: Your Care Is at Our Core