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Continuing professional development to support our members on their lifelong learning journey.

Upcoming Webinars

On this page, you'll find upcoming virtual sessions dedicated to physicians' continuing professional development as well as other WSMA priorities. Continuing professional development is the process of lifelong learning in which physicians acquire, through formal and informal activities, the medical and nonmedical competencies they need to improve their ability to practice medicine and provide effective patient care. Engaging in continuing professional development is a professional obligation and also a prerequisite for enhancing the quality of health care. The WSMA offers continuing professional development as part of our commitment to supporting physicians and physician assistants on their lifelong learning journey. Questions? Contact Brendan Cox at brendan@wsma.org or 206.956.3625.

2026 Legislative Session Preview Webinar

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, 5:30 p.m.

Join WSMA’s government affairs team for a legislative update via Zoom at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 7. They'll run through WSMA's priority issues for the 2026 session and everything else in Olympia that will be impacting patient care and the physician community when session starts on Jan. 12. Registration is required. You will receive a confirmation email containing the connection details after completing the registration.

1001 Cuts Documentary Screening

Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, 6 p.m.

This Feb. 3 in honor of National Women Physicians Day, please consider joining WSMA President Bridget Bush, MD, FASA, and Director Sarah Temkin, MD, for a special screening of 1001 Cuts, an award-winning 24-minute film examining the challenges faced by women surgeons, while amplifying those issues for all physicians and health care professionals. The film seeks to inspire solutions to overcome barriers that persist for women in medicine, create collaborative health care environments that support excellence in care for all patients, and celebrate the contributions of women in medicine. Dr. Temkin will join WSMA President Bridget Bush, MD, in hosting the screening and facilitating a Q&A. We're looking forward to seeing you there! This activity is approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.

Rural Regional Section Kickoff and Listening Session

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Join us to learn about the WSMA's new Rural Regional Section, a section for physicians practicing in counties where local county medical societies have disbanded or no longer meet the WSMA's definition of an "active medical society." At this virtual kickoff meeting, Amy Ellingson, MD, Dave Cundiff, MD, MPH, and the WSMA will share more about the Rural Regional Section, outline opportunities for engagement, including periodic virtual meetings, and hold a listening session focused on the joys and pains of practicing medicine in rural Washington to learn how this section can best serve rural physicians. If you practice in or reside in a county without an active medical society, we hope you'll join us!

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cms-awards-washington-181-million-for-rural-health-transformation-program

CMS Awards Washington $181 Million for Rural Health Transformation Program

Latest_News

Shared_Content/News/advocacy-report/2026/january-16/cms-awards-washington-181-million-for-rural-health-transformation-program

<div class="col-md-12"> <div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/advocacy-report/2026/january/senior-male-patient-with-physician-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="Senior male patient with physician" /></div> <h5>Jan. 16, 2026 </h5> <h2>CMS Awards Washington $181 Million for Rural Health Transformation Program </h2> <p>The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has approved Washington state's Rural Health Transformation Program plan and awarded approximately $181 million for the first year of the program.</p> <p>In a statement, the Health Care Authority notes "These funds will support the hospitals, clinics, and providers that rural families rely on every day. While the need remains significant, this investment will help rural communities take important steps forward in accessible, safe, and sustainable health care." </p> <p>The WSMA is grateful to Gov. Bob Ferguson and his administration, including the HCA, Department of Health, and the Department of Social and Health Services, for their leadership and work to secure this funding. We will continue to engage with the governor's office and state agencies to help ensure Rural Health Transformation Program funds are deployed in a manner that meaningfully supports physicians, care teams, and the patients they serve in rural communities.</p> <p>The awarded amount is close to the state's original request of $200 million. State agencies are now revising the program budget to reflect the approved funding level.</p> <h3>What's next </h3> <p>According to the HCA, the agency is working with DOH and DSHS, in coordination with the governor's office, to make targeted budget adjustments that reduce-but do not eliminate-planned funding allocations.</p> <p>CMS requires submission of a revised budget by Jan. 30, after which the agency will conduct a review within 30 days. Following CMS review, the state and CMS will finalize a cooperative agreement to formally advance the program.</p> <h3>About the Rural Health Transformation Program </h3> <p>Authorized under H.R. 1, the Rural Health Transformation Program makes up to $50 billion in federal funding available nationwide to support rural health care transformation.</p> <p>For Washington, the program presents an opportunity to strengthen rural health systems and address the unique challenges facing rural communities across the state.</p> <p>Learn more on the state's Rural Health Transformation Program <a href="https://www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/programs-and-initiatives/value-based-purchasing/rural-health-transformation-program">webpage</a>.</p> </div>

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congressional-advocacy-what-the-wsma-is-doing-at-the-federal-level

Congressional Advocacy: What the WSMA is Doing at the Federal Level

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Shared_Content/News/advocacy-report/2026/january-16/congressional-advocacy-what-the-wsma-is-doing-at-the-federal-level

<div class="col-md-12"> <div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/advocacy-report/2026/january/us-capitol-building-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="US Capitol building" /></div> <h5>Jan. 16, 2026 </h5> <h2>Congressional Advocacy: What the WSMA is Doing at the Federal Level </h2> <p>Important health care policies continue to be considered in Congress, and WSMA's advocacy efforts don't stop at our state border. Below are some updates from our work in the "other" Washington.</p> <h3>Advocating against WISeR implementation </h3> <p>At the request of Rep. Suzan DelBene's staff, the WSMA reached out to Washington's federal congressional delegation to request they sign on to a letter to House and Senate leadership and appropriators, co-led by Reps. Lois Frankel, Suzan DelBene, Lloyd Doggett, Mark Pocan, Greg Landsman, Ami Bera, Rick Larsen, Alexandria-Ocasio Cortez, and Jan Schakowsky, requesting language in any final FY26 funding agreement prohibiting the implementation of the WISeR Model or any related moves to introduce prior authorization requirements into traditional Medicare.</p> <p>In 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced plans to implement a pilot program that would contract private companies, using artificial intelligence, to utilize prior authorization on certain medical services and devices under Medicare Part B. Over the past year, the <a href="[@]Shared_Content/News/advocacy-report/2025/december-19/end-of-year-update-wsma-advocacy-on-wiser-program.aspx?_zs=Pimae1&amp;_zl=pnKVA">WSMA has engaged extensively</a> to raise serious concerns about the WISeRModel and its potential impact on Washington physicians and Medicare patients.</p> <h3>Are Medicare Advantage prior authorization policies harming your patients? Let us know</h3> <p>The WSMA has received a request from Rep. Kim Shrier's office seeking patient stories or data from WSMA members about their experience with prior authorization utilized by Medicare Advantage that would assist in their advocacy and to track harmful impacts to Washington physicians and their patients. If you have an example of harm caused or barriers to patient care due to these policies, please contact <a href="mailto:policy@wsma.org">policy@wsma.org</a>.</p> <h3>WSMA shares budget priorities with members of Congress </h3> <p>Congress is currently negotiating a federal funding package ahead of the Jan. 30 funding deadline with implications for patients and physicians. The WSMA reached out to members of Washington's congressional delegation earlier this week, urging Congress to include extending enhanced premium tax credits and permanent Medicare telehealth flexibilities in any funding deal to protect access to affordable coverage and care.</p> </div>

1/16/2026 12:00:00 AM

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WSMA Priorities for the 2026 Legislative Session

Latest_News

Shared_Content/News/advocacy-report/2026/january-16/wsma-priorities-for-the-2026-legislative-session

<div class="col-md-12"> <div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/advocacy-report/2026/january/2026-Leg-Session-Graphic%201.png" class="pull-right" alt="WSM 2026 Legislative Session Updates" /></div> <h5>Jan. 16, 2026 </h5> <h2>WSMA Priorities for the 2026 Legislative Session </h2> <p>The 2026 legislative session began on Monday, Jan. 12, and over the next 60 days, lawmakers will be working to bridge an ongoing state budget deficit and consider more than 3,000 bills that are in play in Olympia this year.</p> <p>Last week, WSMA's government affairs department held <a href="[@]wsma/advocacy/legislative___regulatory/Legislative%20Activities/wsma/advocacy/legislative_regulatory/legislative-activities.aspx#2026preSession">a pre-session webinar</a> where more than 100 physicians, residents, and medical students were provided a high-level overview of what's on the table for the physician community this session. If you weren't able to attend, a video of the event <a href="[@]wsma/advocacy/legislative_regulatory/legislative-activities.aspx?hkey=231ee068-da1d-49ae-b5bc-01a857b21a9b&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">can be found here</a> and below is a summary of WSMA's 2026 legislative priorities.</p> <ul> <li>Budget <ul> <li>H.R. 1 response <ul> <li>The tax and spending bill approved by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump in July contains numerous policies cutting federal funding for health care and limiting patientsâ€™ eligibility for enrollment in Medicaid. The WSMA is working in coalition with patient groups, state agencies, and other stakeholders to develop policy solutions to ensure as many residents of the state have access to essential health care services as possible.</li> </ul> </li> <li>B&amp;O tax mitigation <ul> <li>Following business and occupation tax rate increases in 2019 and 2025, for most physician organizations the B&amp;O tax rate has increased by 40% in the last five years. Taken together, these tax increases cost health care organizations an estimated $100 million annually. The WSMA is asking the Legislature to revisit the B&amp;O tax rate for physician groups and health care organizations, mitigating the impact of recent increases in the interest of preserving independent practice and patient access to care.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Medicaid rates <ul> <li>WSMA successfully advocated for the passage of <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=1392&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false">House Bill 1392</a> during the 2025 session, establishing the Medicaid Access Program to increase Medicaid rates. Unfortunately, H.R. 1 includes a provision that blocks implementation of the law. While we continue to monitor for opportunities to pursue federal approval, we will be exploring alternative methods to increase Medicaid rates and promote access to care for patients. And we are also advocating for the passage of <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=2385&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false">House Bill 2385</a> to extend the statutory deadlines of the Medicaid Access Program so that the state can pursue implementation of the law if the federal landscape changes.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li>Policy <ul> <li>Vaccine and preventative service access <ul> <li>As federal institutions continue to move away from evidence-based recommendations on public health measures, our state's coverage of and access to immunizations and other preventative services are at risk. The WSMA is working in coalition to support <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=2242&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false">House Bill 2242</a> and <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=5967&amp;Chamber=Senate&amp;Year=2025">Senate Bill 5967</a> to preserve access to preventative services, including vaccines, on a covered basis through health insurance plans and the state's Childhood Vaccine Program.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Prior authorization <ul> <li>When physicians recommend a service or a drug for a patient, coverage is often conditioned on prior authorization from a patient's insurance carrier. The WSMA is grateful for recent legislative action to modernize prior authorization. As technology advances, further reform is needed to ensure care can be delivered in an appropriate and expeditious manner. The WSMA is working in coalition to advance <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=5395&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false">Senate Bill 5395</a> to prohibit artificial intelligence from being used to deny coverage for services, require insurance carrier prior authorization policies be accessible in a standardized manner, and clarify an existing prohibition on retroactive denials of coverage authorizations.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Insurance payment reforms <ul> <li>The administrative and financial burdens associated with insurance contracting and payment constitute a significant challenge in maintaining independent physician practices. The requirements from any given insurance carrier can be difficult to navigate; taken together across carriers, they form a complex and shifting labyrinth of hurdles for practices to navigate. We're advocating for <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=5845&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false">Senate Bill 5845</a> to require insurance carriers to provide prompt payment for care that is delivered; <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6071&amp;Year=2026&amp;Initiative=false">Senate Bill 6071</a> to limit the ability of carriers to claw back payment after care is delivered; and <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=2106&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false">House Bill 2106</a> to require approval of significant contract revisions between insurance carriers and practices.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Medical title transparency <ul> <li>As care delivery has evolved to be more team-based, the credentials and titles used by health care practitioners play a crucial role in ensuring transparency and trust with patients. Similar to laws currently on the books in 38 states, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=2261&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false">House Bill 2261</a> would require disclosure of credentials in advertising and badging. This bill was developed by the WSMA in conjunction with physician specialty organizations.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Scope of practice <ul> <li>The WSMA annually engages on a host of scope of practice bills pursuant to <a href="[@]wsma/about/policies/whats_our_policy/scope-of-practice/scope-of-practice-general.aspx">our established policy</a> that focuses on appropriate education and training to ensure patient safety. In the 2026 session, we're expecting to work on scope proposals from pharmacists, naturopaths, psychologists, and nurses, in addition to returning proposals mandating reimbursement for advance practice providers at the same rate as physicians.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p>As session progresses, we'll be sharing opportunities for WSMA members to engage on these issues and others. If you have questions about our priority issues or anything that's being considered in Olympia this year, contact WSMA Senior Director of Government Affairs and Policy <a href="mailto:sean@wsma.org">Sean Graham</a>.</p> </div>

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