| closure-of-seattle-obgyn-underscores-need-for-reimbursement-reform | Closure of Seattle OBGYN Underscores Need for Reimbursement Reform | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/november-22/closure-of-seattle-obgyn-underscores-need-for-reimbursement-reform | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2023/november/doc-with-young-female-patient-masks-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="Doctor with female patient" /></div>
<h5>November 22, 2023</h5>
<h2>Closure of Seattle OBGYN Underscores Need for Reimbursement Reform and Support for Independent Practice</h2>
<p>After 73 years serving patients and its community, Seattle OBGYN <a href="https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/definitely-blindsided-thousands-families-scrambling-after-sudden-seattle-obgyn-closure/3D6IK5VTRBBUTHKYUWVGY4BVRA/">recently announced</a> it will permanently close at the end of the year. Practice physician Judy Kimelman, MD, wrote in <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/closure-of-seattle-clinic-after-73-years-adds-to-health-care-pain/">an op-ed to The Seattle Times</a> that the closure will impact more than 16,000 patients including more than 300 who are currently pregnant. Dr. Kimelman cited low reimbursement, especially from Medicaid and Medicare, as well as difficulty recruiting physicians as causes contributing to the independent practice's closure.</p>
<p>The WSMA is deeply saddened by the pending closure of Seattle OBGYN and we extend our condolences to all of the physicians and patients who are impacted. We're also redoubled in our resolve to address some of the root causes of the closure, such as subpar Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements that strain physician organization finances and contribute to staff recruitment challenges.</p>
<ul>
<li>The WSMA is continuing our work in Olympia to raise all Medicaid reimbursement rates for physician services at least up to the equivalent paid by Medicare to better reflect the cost of care delivery. Legislators need to hear from you on how low Medicaid reimbursement rates impact your practice and ability to serve Medicaid patients. Lend your voice to the cause <a href="https://takeaction.wsma.org/?vvsrc=%2Fhome">here</a>. For those interested in advocating in person on Medicaid rates and other priority issues, <a href="[@]wsma/events/legislative_summit/wsma/events/wsma_legislative_summit/legislative_summit.aspx?hkey=795731a5-79ba-45b0-b78b-b9dfbfc336e5">register to attend the 2024 WSMA Legislative Summit</a> in Olympia on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>At the federal level, the WSMA is working both to <a href="[@]Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/november-8/contact-your-member-of-congress-today-to-stop-year-end-medicare-cuts.aspx?_zs=lfaFd1&amp;_zl=nPsI9">stop the pending cuts proposed by CMS and also to support long-term reform</a>. Learn more and contact your congressional representatives today to support these efforts.</li>
</ul>
<p>As we lament the loss of a venerable physician practice, it's imperative that the physician community does all that it can to improve operating conditions and promote the viability of independent physician practice. Please join us in providing condolences to all impacted by the closure of Seattle OBGYN and in advocating for our state's physicians and patients.</p>
</div> | 11/22/2023 3:58:58 PM | 11/22/2023 12:00:00 AM |
| reminder-contact-your-member-of-congress-to-stop-year-end-medicare-cuts | Reminder: Contact Your Member of Congress to Stop Year-End Medicare Cuts | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/november-22/reminder-contact-your-member-of-congress-to-stop-year-end-medicare-cuts | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2023/november/medicare-graphic-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="Support Medicare Sustainability graphic" /></div>
<h5>November 22, 2023</h5>
<h2>Reminder: Contact Your Member of Congress to Stop Year-End Medicare Cuts</h2>
<p>With the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services proposing a 3.4% reduction in Medicare's physician payments for 2024, the WSMA is urging all members to contact their congressional representatives today and call on them to stop the cuts. There's less than two months left in the year, so please make this a priority. Everyone agrees the Medicare physician payment system is broken, and it's time for Congress to do something about it. <a href="https://physiciansgrassrootsnetwork.org/be-heard?vvsrc=%2fCampaigns%2f108965%2fRespond">Please contact your representative and senators and urge them to cancel the cuts.</a></p>
<p>The WSMA is also urging Washington's congressional delegation to sign on to H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act. The legislation applies a much-needed permanent inflation-based update to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule conversion factor. <a href="[@]Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/november-8/contact-your-member-of-congress-today-to-stop-year-end-medicare-cuts">Learn more about how you can help our advocacy on this long-term Medicare payment reform</a>.</p>
</div> | 11/22/2023 2:41:33 PM | 11/22/2023 12:00:00 AM |
| contact-your-member-of-congress-today-to-stop-year-end-medicare-cuts | Contact your Member of Congress Today to Stop Year-End Medicare Cuts | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/november-8/contact-your-member-of-congress-today-to-stop-year-end-medicare-cuts | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2023/november/ama-fmn-protectphysicianpractices-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="AMA Protect physician practices logo" /></div>
<h5>November 8, 2023</h5>
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<h2>Contact your Member of Congress Today to Stop Year-End Medicare Cuts</h2>
<p>Recently the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced final plans for payment schedules for physicians, approving a 3.4% reduction in Medicare's physician payments for 2024. We are urging all members to contact their representatives today to urge them to stop the cuts. There's less than two months left in the year so please make this a priority. Everyone agrees the Medicare physician payment system is broken, and it's time for Congress to do something about it. <a href="https://physiciansgrassrootsnetwork.org/be-heard?vvsrc=%2fCampaigns%2f108965%2fRespond">Please contact your representative and senators and urge them to cancel the cut today!</a></p>
<p>The WSMA is also urging Washington's congressional delegation to sign on to H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act. The legislation applies a permanent inflation-based update to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule conversion factor, which will provide much-needed stability to the Medicare payment system as our members contend with an increasingly challenging environment providing Medicare beneficiaries with access to timely and quality care.</p>
<p>Congress has taken action to mitigate some of the recent MPFS cuts on a temporary basis, however, reimbursement continues to decline. According to an American Medical Association analysis of Medicare trustees data, when adjusted for inflation, Medicare payments to clinicians have declined by 26% from 2001-2023. The failure of the MPFS to keep pace with the true cost of providing care, combined with year-over-year cuts resulting from the application of budget neutrality, sequestration, and a paucity of available alternative payment models and value-based-care models, clearly demonstrates the Medicare payment system is broken. The addition of an inflationary update will provide budgetary stability as clinicians, many of whom are small business owners, contend with a wide range of shifting economic factors, such as increasing administrative burdens, staff salaries, office rent, and purchasing of essential technology.</p>
<p>A full list of congressional representatives who have signed on to H.R.2474 can be found <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2474/cosponsors?r=38&amp;s=1&amp;q=%7B%22search%22%3A[%22actionDate%3A%5C%22118%7C2023-04-14%5C%22+AND+%28billIsReserved%3A%5C%22N%5C%22+OR+type%3A%5C%22AMENDMENT%5C%22%29%22]%7D">here</a>. If you need help connecting with your congressional representatives, contact the WSMA policy department at <a href="mailto:policy@wsma.org">policy@wsma.org</a>. More information on the Medicare payment cuts can be found at <a href="https://fixmedicarenow.org/resources">fixmedicarenow.org/resources</a>.</p>
</div> | 11/7/2023 10:20:47 AM | 11/8/2023 12:00:00 AM |
| deadline-approaching-for-comments-on-naturopath-scope-expansion-effort | Deadline Approaching for Comments on Naturopath Scope Expansion Effort | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/november-8/deadline-approaching-for-comments-on-naturopath-scope-expansion-effort | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2023/november/mortar-pestle-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="mortar and pestle" /></div>
<h5>November 8, 2023</h5>
<!-- **************************NEW ARTICLE****************************** -->
<h2>Deadline Approaching for Comments on Naturopath Scope Expansion Effort</h2>
<p>The naturopathic profession in Washington state is continuing its effort to <a href="https://wsma.org/wsma/advocacy/legislative_regulatory/regulatory-priorities.aspx">expand naturopaths' scope of practice through legislation and rulemaking</a> without stipulating specific additional education requirements or training. At each juncture, the WSMA has opposed these efforts on the grounds that a naturopath's education and training do not include the comprehensive medical and pharmacological background needed to safely prescribe controlled substances and perform additional procedures as proposed. We strongly encourage physicians in all specialties to provide feedback on the proposal ahead of the Nov. 20 deadline.</p>
<p>In the latest chapter of this years-long effort, the Washington State Department of Health will be conducting a sunrise review of the naturopathic scope of practice as <a href="https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-10/NaturopathySunriseAppReport2023.pdf?uid=65208b53a2046">requested by the Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians</a>. The DOH will review <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5411&amp;Year=2023&amp;Initiative=false">Senate Bill 5411</a> from the 2023 legislative session. As a reminder, SB 5411 makes several updates to the naturopathic practice act including:</p>
<ul>
<li>Expanding prescriptive authority to include controlled substances schedules II-V. This change would include opioids. Naturopaths currently have a very narrow prescriptive authority that is limited to legend drugs, codeine, testosterone, hormones, and other substances consistent with the practice of naturopathic medicine.</li>
<li>Allowing a naturopath to sign and attest to any certification cards, forms, or required documents that a physician can sign.</li>
<li>Changing the definition of "minor office procedure" to include primary care services and treatment of minor injuries. This "minor office procedure" has been interpreted by the naturopathic association to include things like in-office abortions.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The WSMA strongly believes that this proposal is a threat to the entire physician community</strong>. Most recently, the naturopathic community has expressed interest in the scopes of practice for obstetrics and gynecology, urology, ophthalmology, dermatology, plastic surgery, and anesthesiology. The applicant report expresses interest in treating behavioral/mental health conditions, performing in-office abortions, and treating opioid use disorder, among other things.</p>
<h3>All specialties urged to provide feedback on proposal</h3>
<p>As part of its sunrise review and to help DOH make informed recommendations to the Legislature on this proposal, the department is accepting public comments at <a href="mailto:sunrise@doh.wa.gov">sunrise@doh.wa.gov</a> through 5 p.m. on Nov. 20, 2023. Given the naturopaths' wide-ranging interest in scope expansion, WSMA staff have routed a call to action to our specialty society partners urging opposition to this proposal. WSMA's policy team is in the process of reviewing the application, and we will share our draft comment as a model for WSMA members from all specialties to work from.</p>
<p>The proposal under review consists of the following documents DOH received from the Legislature and applicant group:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-10/NaturopathySunriseRequest2023.pdf?uid=65208b53a13ea">Letter from Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee</a></li>
<li><a href="https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-10/SenateBill5411-NP.pdf?uid=65208b53a1ad1">Senate Bill 5411</a></li>
<li><a href="https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-10/NaturopathySunriseAppReport2023.pdf?uid=65208b53a2046">Applicant report submitted by WANP</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Learn more about the <a href="https://doh.wa.gov/about-us/programs-and-services/executive-office-prevention-safety-and-health/health-systems-quality-assurance/sunrise-reviews">DOH sunrise review process</a>.</p>
</div> | 11/8/2023 3:16:42 PM | 11/8/2023 12:00:00 AM |
| its-time-for-action-on-unsustainable-medicaid-payments | It's Time for Action on Unsustainable Medicaid Payments | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/november-8/its-time-for-action-on-unsustainable-medicaid-payments | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2023/november/shutterstock-2033522243-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="Male doctor and patient" /></div>
<h5>November 8, 2023</h5>
<h2>It's Time for Action on Unsustainable Medicaid Payments</h2>
<p>This week, the WSMA sent an action alert to Washington's physician community encouraging physicians, clinics, and medical groups to share stories with their legislators of how low Medicaid reimbursements, particularly for specialty care, impact their practices and patient access to care. If you haven't yet shared your perspective, <a href="https://takeaction.wsma.org/">do so today</a>.</p>
<p>The WSMA is working on a solution that will help draw down federal dollars and increase Medicaid rates across the board for the physician community. We will have more information on our proposal in the weeks ahead. The WSMA will be engaging stakeholders from across the health care spectrum-specialty societies, medical groups, county medical societies, clinics, systems, and more-to mobilize on this issue in anticipation of the state legislative session that begins in January. The state is long overdue in making needed investments to ensure that Medicaid patients have access to not only health coverage, but also health care. This can't wait.</p>
<h3>How you can help with our Medicaid effort</h3>
<p>While WSMA staff will be working hard to advocate on your behalf with legislators and in the media, there is no substitute for the expertise and perspective of those physicians, practices, and clinics witnessing "on the ground" how low Medicaid reimbursements are impacting their ability to provide care to their patients. Your experiences and knowledge of your community can be invaluable to local legislators and media-and may change minds.</p>
<p>If you'd like to help with this effort, visit our <a href="https://takeaction.wsma.org/get-engaged/">campaign page to volunteer</a>. WSMA staff will be in touch with more information about how you can help.</p>
</div> | 11/8/2023 3:10:20 PM | 11/8/2023 12:00:00 AM |
| passion-and-policymaking-at-2023-house-of-delegates | Passion and Policymaking at 2023 House of Delegates | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Latest_News/2023/passion-and-policymaking-at-2023-house-of-delegates | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2023/september/2023-annual-meeting-main-graphic-v2-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="2023 WSMA Annual Meeting House of Delegates logo"></div>
<h5>November 1, 2023</h5>
<h2>Passion and Policymaking at 2023 House of Delegates</h2>
<p>
Nearly 200 delegates representing numerous specialty and county medical
societies in Washington convened at The Westin Bellevue in late September for
the 134th Annual Meeting of the WSMA House of Delegates. Holding the
legislative power of the WSMA as defined in the association's bylaws, this
select group of physicians, residents, medical students, and physician
assistants were tasked with establishing policy and electing officers for the
association-while having a bit of collegial fun in the process.
</p>
<p>
Before the House got down to its official business, delegates and other
interested WSMA members attending the meeting heard from outgoing WSMA
President Katina Rue, DO, who kicked off Saturday's opening session with
opening remarks and the presentation of the 2023 WSMA Apple Awards. Following
Dr. Rue, Secretary of Health Umair Shah, MD, provided an overview of changes
in Washington's public health infrastructure and outreach since he took
office, and encouraged greater collaboration with physicians in the field. The
House then paused for reference committee breakout meetings, where resolutions
were discussed and debated in small-group settings.
</p>
<p>
Up next: The WAMPAC Luncheon. A perennial favorite, this fundraising event for
WSMA's nonpartisan political action committee featured the majority and
minority leaders of the state House of Representatives, who talked policy and
politics before taking questions from WSMA members. Keeping things lively,
WSMA staff led a raffle for WAMPAC's Diamond Club contributors in attendance
along with a game of trivia to test the political acumen of attendees.
</p>
<p>
Saturday afternoon, as reference committee members got to work drafting their
reports (learn more about this process on the
<a href="[@]wsma/events/annual_meeting/annual_meeting.aspx#about">Annual Meeting webpage</a>), attendees reconvened for CME presentations covering critical topics in
medicine. Stephen Bezruchka, MD, led an impassioned discussion on how
physicians can tackle factors that have the greatest impact on population
health-and why physicians should act and not despair when facing these
daunting problems. Ed Walker, MD, senior physician advisor for the WSMA Center
for Leadership Development, followed with a perspective on the importance of
burnout recognition and treatment from a system-level view rather than a
self-care, wellness model. Then the American Medical Association's immediate
past chair of the board of trustees Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, MD, did a deep
dive on the AMA's Recovery Plan for America's Physicians.
</p>
<p>
Finally, attendees and staff gathered to inaugurate WSMA's 2023-2024
president, Mukilteo OB-GYN Nariman Heshmati, MD, celebrating the start of his
tenure at a reception in his honor-and unwinding after a long day of House
business.
</p>
<p>
Sunday dawned with delegations meeting at their respective caucus breakfasts
to review reference committee reports in anticipation of the morning's final
House session. After the House convened, but before they got down to business,
delegates heard a moving speech by WSMA's new president, Dr. Heshmati (read or
watch his speech at wsma.org).
</p>
<p>
Speakers Matthew Grierson, MD, and Ray Hsiao, MD, then deftly led delegates
through debate and action on the business before the House. Up for
consideration were nearly 40 resolutions, many of which tackled major topics
being grappled with nationwide, including the role of AI in medicine,
unionization, the opioid epidemic, and more. Ultimately, the policies adopted
by the House on Sunday shared a collective emphasis from the house of medicine
to keep medicine "physician driven and patient focused" in the face of major
societal disruptions.
</p>
<h3>Official Actions of the 2023 House of Delegates</h3>
<div class="row">
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<div class="col-md-10">
<p>
Policymaking is at the heart of the WSMA Annual Meeting, as the
approximately 175 WSMA members who make up the House of Delegates, the
WSMA's "physician legislature," gather to debate and determine policy for
your state medical association. The policies passed during this year's
House of Delegates reflect an urgency on behalf of Washington's physician
community to reclaim the primacy of the patient-physician relationship and
ensure physicians stay in the driver's seat of patient care. For a full
account of the actions of the House, download the
<a href="[@]wsma/about/who_we_are/house-of-delegates.aspx?hkey=c5e98d40-6e37-4bc0-9bda-a7aa66e67919&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Official Actions of the 2023 WSMA House of Delegates</a>.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<h3>Meet WSMA's new leadership</h3>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-md-2"><img alt="" src="/images/Newsletters/latest-news/2023/oct/heshmati-nari-2021-round-125x125px.png" class="pull-left"></div>
<div class="col-md-10">
<p>
In addition to determining policy for the WSMA, the 2023 House of
Delegates inaugurated a new president for the WSMA and elected new
officers and board members.
</p>
<p>
OB-GYN Nariman Heshmati, MD, FACOG, of Mukilteo was inaugurated as WSMA
president for 2023-2024. Dr. Heshmati is the executive medical director of
affordability, advocacy, and pharmacy for Optum Washington, which includes
The Everett Clinic, The Polyclinic, and the Optum Care Network Pacific
Northwest. Watch his inaugural address below.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div style="padding: 56.25% 0 0 0; position: relative;">
<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/875691128?badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;quality_selector=1&amp;progress_bar=1&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479" title="2023-24 WSMA President Dr. Nariman Heshmati's inaugural address Sunday, Sept. 24 2023 WSMA House of Delegates" style="position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" loading="lazy"></iframe>
</div>
<script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"></script>
<br>
<p>
Newly elected as officers at the meeting: John Bramhall, MD, PhD, Seattle
anesthesiologist, president-elect; Bridget Bush, MD, FASA, Anacortes
anesthesiologist, vice president; and Matt Hollon, MD, MPH, FACP, Spokane
internist, secretary-treasurer. The fifth officer of WSMA's executive
committee is Past President Katina Rue, DO, FAAFP, FACOFP, Yakima family
physician, who will serve as committee chair.
</p>
<p>
Newly elected to the association's board of trustees: Rajneet Lamba, MD,
Kirkland internist; Amy Ellingson, MD, Brewster family physician; Lisa
Ivanjack, MD, Bothell internist; John Scott, MD, Seattle gastroenterologist;
Peter Barkett, MD, Silverdale internist; and Andy Shang, medical student,
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences.
</p>
<p>
Visit the for a full roster of WSMA board of trustees members and to learn
more about the governing bodies of your state medical association.
</p>
<h3>2023 Apple Award winners</h3>
<div class="row">
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<div class="col-md-10">
<p>
This year marked the fifth annual WSMA Apple Awards, so named for the
common and locally appropriate symbol of good health. Winners of the 2023
awards:
</p>
<p>
Seattle ophthalmologist Aaron Weingeist, MD, retired Olympia OB-GYN Annie
Iriye, MD, and Redmond internist Teresa Girolami, MD, were each presented
a Grassroots Advocate Award, recognizing advocacy efforts and activities
that support WSMA legislative priorities.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<p>
Optum Washington received the 2023 Wellness Award, recognizing an organization
that has worked to put the joy back in medicine for Washington physicians,
either by supporting a culture of wellness, efficiency of practice, or
personal resilience.
</p>
<p>
Wenatchee family physician Mabel Bodell, MD, received the 2023 William O.
Robertson, MD, Patient Safety Award, named after WSMA past-president and
patient-safety champion William O. Robertson, MD, recognizing innovative
patient safety initiatives in the ambulatory care setting.
</p>
<p>
Seattle medical leadership educator Ed Walker, MD, received the President's
Unsung Hero Award, recognizing his extraordinary contributions and service to
the profession and our community.
</p>
<p>Congratulations to our award winners!</p>
<h3>Honoring our newest 50-Year Club members</h3>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-md-2"><img alt="" src="/images/Newsletters/latest-news/2023/oct/50-year-club-graphic-round.png" class="pull-left" style="width: 125px;"></div>
<div class="col-md-10">
<p>
This year, 15 WSMA members were inducted into the WSMA 50-Year Club, which
celebrates and honors members who have been practicing medicine for 50
years. They are: John Adkison, MD, of Yakima; William Butler, MD, of
Seattle; Gerald Duris, MD, of Puyallup; Thomas Gillette, MD, of Seattle;
William Hutton, MD, of Aberdeen; James Komorous, MD, of Clarkston; Gene
Liaw, MD, of Bellevue; John Luber, MD, of Tacoma; Michael Luce, MD, of
Dayton; Ronald Maier, MD, of Seattle; Kenneth Mayeda, MD, of Seattle;
Leroy Nill, MD, of Edmonds; Benjamin Podemski, MD, of Seattle; Christopher
Varley, MD, of Seattle; and Richard Veith, MD, of Seattle.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<h3>2024 Annual Meeting: Save the date!</h3>
<div class="row">
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<div class="col-md-10">
<p>
Mark your calendars now for next year's meeting, Sept. 28-29 at the
Historic Davenport in Spokane.
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div> | 10/19/2023 4:27:11 PM | 11/1/2023 12:00:00 AM |
| provide-feedback-in-an-ama-physician-practice-information-survey | Provide Feedback in an AMA Physician Practice Information Survey | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/october-27/provide-feedback-in-an-ama-physician-practice-information-survey | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2023/october/doctor-piggy-bank-illustration-shutterstock-1860228250-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="Doctor with piggy bank illustration" /></div>
<h5>October 27, 2023</h5>
<h2>Provide Feedback in an AMA Physician Practice Information Survey </h2>
<p>An American Medical Association survey is being distributed to thousands of physician practices and individual physicians across the U.S. The intent of the survey is to collect updated and accurate data on practice costs, which are a key element of physician payment. The survey represents your opportunity to communicate accurate financial and operational information to policymakers, including members of Congress and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. These data have not been updated since they were last collected over 15 years ago, and it is critically important to update this information to ensure accurate payment.</p>
<p>Interested individuals can see <a href="http://wsma.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0xMTI4MjgyNSZwPTEmdT0xMTU4MjY5MTYzJmxpPTEwNTA5Nzc5OQ/index.html">here</a> for more information about this survey. <a href="http://wsma.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0xMTI4MjgyNSZwPTEmdT0xMTU4MjY5MTYzJmxpPTEwNTA5NzgwMA/index.html">Mathematica</a>, a well-regarded consulting firm, is helping the AMA run this survey. Your practice may receive an email (from <a href="mailto:ppisurvey@mathematica-mpr.com">ppisurvey@mathematica-mpr.com</a>) and a USPS priority mail packet from Mathematica that contains a link to the survey as well as supporting information. Please speak with your practice management colleagues to determine if they have received these communications and ask them to complete this important survey. In the coming weeks or months, your practice, or Mathematica, may also ask you to complete a brief survey on the number of weekly hours spent on direct patient care. We urge you to complete this two-minute survey.</p>
</div> | 10/26/2023 3:45:32 PM | 10/27/2023 12:00:00 AM |
| wsma-urges-washingtons-congressional-delegation-to-take-action-to-prevent-medicare-payment-c | WSMA Urges Washington's Congressional Delegation to Take Action to Prevent Medicare Payment | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/october-27/wsma-urges-washingtons-congressional-delegation-to-take-action-to-prevent-medicare-payment-c | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2023/october/medicare-barcode-645px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="Medicare barcode" /></div>
<h5>October 27, 2023</h5>
<h2>WSMA Urges Washington's Congressional Delegation to Take Action to Prevent Medicare Payment Cuts </h2>
<p>For the third year in a row, physicians face a <a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/july-28/more-medicare-physician-payment-cuts-on-the-horizon.aspx?_zs=A3aFd1&amp;_zl=VWD89">Medicare payment cut on Jan. 1, 2024</a>. Congress must act immediately to avert the looming 3.36% physician payment cut, which, if allowed to go into effect, would further destabilize physician practices already struggling economically.</p>
<p>Congress is no doubt running out of time and has a lot of work to achieve before December's recess, but the WSMA remains committed to bringing attention to this issue by advocating for immediate solutions and long-term reform in the years ahead. The WSMA recently submitted a <a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/News and Publications/newsletters/2023/wsma-letter-medicare-payment-cuts-2024-final.pdf]">comment letter to Washington's congressional delegation</a>&nbsp;requesting immediate action.</p>
<p>Averting the pending payment cut is a high priority for the WSMA and the physician community. We will continue monitoring the forthcoming cut as the year comes to an end and keep members apprised of opportunities to engage on the issue.</p>
<p>The WSMA also continues to monitor <a href="[@]Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/may-12/wsma-urges-washingtons-congressional-delegation-to-support-medicare-payment-reform">broader Medicare reform efforts</a> and looks forward to opportunities to work with congressional offices and partners to improve the Medicare physician fee schedule. For an American Medical Association overview of reform efforts, <a href="https://click.e.ama-assn.org/?qs=2847594f13e1d2e02dc1463dc5fb82b35912a817072a9ea5b7c0db7d323a374e8c76142d2c0f65a30437c9a524231e84fc25de3201b4d53f075848a60b07d9f1bc6925b4aee505c4">register now</a> for "What's next with Medicare payment reform," on Friday, Nov. 3 at 11 a.m. PDT for more on how the AMA, alongside state and national medical specialty societies, is pushing for permanent payment reform and how you can get involved. Speakers include G. Ray Callas, MD, president elect, Texas Medical Association; Katie Orrico, senior vice president, health policy and advocacy, American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons; and Todd Askew, senior vice president, advocacy, American Medical Association.</p>
</div> | 10/26/2023 4:26:33 PM | 10/27/2023 12:00:00 AM |
| call_for_comments_on_latest_naturopath_scope_expansion_effort | Call for Comments on Latest Naturopath Scope Expansion Effort | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/october_13/call_for_comments_on_latest_naturopath_scope_expansion_effort | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2021/February/mortar_pestle-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="Naturopaths" /></div>
<h5>October 12, 2023</h5>
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<h2>Call for Comments on Latest Naturopath Scope Expansion Effort</h2>
<p>For the past several years, the naturopathic profession in Washington state has made an effort to&nbsp;<a href="https://wsma.org/wsma/advocacy/legislative_regulatory/regulatory-priorities.aspx">expand naturopaths' scope of practice through legislation and rulemaking</a> without stipulating specific additional education requirements or training. At each juncture, the WSMA has opposed these efforts on the grounds that a&nbsp;naturopath's education and training do not include the comprehensive medical and pharmacological background needed to safely prescribe controlled substances and perform additional procedures.</p>
<p>In the latest chapter of this years-long effort, the Washington State Department of Health will be conducting a sunrise review of the naturopathic scope of practice as <a href="https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-10/NaturopathySunriseAppReport2023.pdf?uid=65208b53a2046">requested by the Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians</a>. The DOH will review <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5411&amp;Year=2023&amp;Initiative=false">Senate Bill 5411</a> from last legislative session. As a reminder, SB 5411 makes several updates to the naturopathic practice act including:</p>
<ul>
<li>Expanding prescriptive authority to include controlled substances schedules II-V. This change would include opioids. Naturopaths currently have a very narrow prescriptive authority that is limited to legend drugs, codeine, testosterone, hormones, and other substances consistent with the practice of naturopathic medicine.</li>
<li>Allowing a naturopath to sign and attest to any certification cards, forms, or required documents that a physician can sign.</li>
<li>Changing the definition of “minor office procedure†to include primary care services and treatment of minor injuries. This “minor office procedure†has been interpreted by the naturopathic association to include things like in-office abortions.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The WSMA strongly believes that this proposal is a threat to the entire physician community.</strong> Most recently, the naturopathic community has expressed interest in the scopes of practice for obstetrics and gynecology, urology, ophthalmology, dermatology, plastic surgery, and anesthesiology. The applicant report expresses interest in treating behavioral/mental health conditions, performing in-office abortions, and treating opioid use disorder, among other things.</p>
<h3>All specialties urged to provide feedback on proposal</h3>
<p>As part of its sunrise review and to help DOH make informed recommendations to the Legislature on this proposal, the&nbsp;department is accepting public comments at <a href="mailto:sunrise@doh.wa.gov">sunrise@doh.wa.gov</a>&nbsp;through 5 p.m. on&nbsp;Nov. 20, 2023.<strong> </strong>Given the naturopaths' wide-ranging interest in scope expansion, WSMA staff have routed a call to action to our specialty society partners urging opposition to this proposal. WSMA’s policy team is in the process of reviewing the application, and we will share our draft comment as a model for WSMA members from all specialties to work from.</p>
<p>The proposal under review consists of the following documents DOH received from the Legislature and applicant group:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-10/NaturopathySunriseRequest2023.pdf?uid=65208b53a13ea">Letter from Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee</a></li>
<li><a href="https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-10/SenateBill5411-NP.pdf?uid=65208b53a1ad1">Senate Bill 5411</a></li>
<li><a href="https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-10/NaturopathySunriseAppReport2023.pdf?uid=65208b53a2046">Applicant report submitted by WANP</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Learn more about the DOH <a href="https://doh.wa.gov/about-us/programs-and-services/executive-office-prevention-safety-and-health/health-systems-quality-assurance/sunrise-reviews">sunrise review process</a>. </p>
</div> | 10/12/2023 12:23:35 PM | 10/20/2023 2:44:47 PM |
| dea_extends_prescribing_flexibilities_through_end_of_calendar_year_2024 | DEA Extends Prescribing Flexibilities Through End of Calendar Year 2024 | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/october_13/dea_extends_prescribing_flexibilities_through_end_of_calendar_year_2024 | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>October 12, 2023</h5>
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<h2>DEA Extends Prescribing Flexibilities Through End of Calendar Year 2024</h2>
<p>The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration announced an <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/10/10/2023-22406/second-temporary-extension-of-covid-19-telemedicine-flexibilities-for-prescription-of-controlled">additional temporary rule extension</a> authorizing DEA-registered practitioners to prescribe schedule II-V controlled medications via telemedicine through Dec. 31, 2024, regardless of whether or not the patient and practitioner established a telemedicine relationship on or before Nov. 11, 2023.</p>
<p>As the WSMA <a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/march-24/dea-proposes-extending-telemedicine-flexibilities-for-prescribing-controlled-substances.aspx?_zs=A3aFd1&amp;_zl=ToAt8">previously </a> <a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/april-14/wsma-provides-feedback-on-dea-rulemaking-extending-telemedicine-flexibilities?_zs=A3aFd1&amp;_zl=5fJv8">reported</a>, the DEA proposed rulemaking earlier this year to expand telemedicine flexibilities adopted during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The <a href="http://www.wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/march-24/dea-proposes-extending-telemedicine-flexibilities-for-prescribing-controlled-substances.aspx?_zs=A3aFd1&amp;_zl=ToAt8">proposed rules</a>, intended to provide safeguards for a narrow subset of telemedicine and audio-only consultations that result in the prescribing of a controlled substance, including buprenorphine for treatment of opioid use disorder, were widely criticized by the medical community for their restrictions on access to needed treatments. The WSMA, in collaboration with the American Medical Association, submitted comment letters outlining various concerns with the rules and requested that the DEA amend the proposed rules to avoid a lapse in patient care, promote patient safety, and avoid nonoptimal treatment options.</p>
<p>The latest extension comes as the DEA continues to review permanent policy changes and plans to promulgate a final set of telemedicine regulations by the fall of 2024. The federal agency says the additional time will allow patients and practitioners to plan for, and adapt to, the new rules once they are issued.</p>
</div> | 10/12/2023 12:43:59 PM | 10/12/2023 3:54:37 PM |
| 2023_wsma_annual_meeting_new_officers_and_board_members_official_actions_and_more | 2023 WSMA Annual Meeting: New Officers and Board Members, Official Actions, and More | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/october_13/2023_wsma_annual_meeting_new_officers_and_board_members_official_actions_and_more | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>October 12, 2023</h5>
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<h2>2023 WSMA Annual Meeting: New Officers and Board Members, Official Actions, and More</h2>
<p>Thank you to the WSMA members and delegates who attended this year's Annual Meeting of the WSMA House of Delegates. For a peek inside the meeting, watch our brief <a href="http://WSMA.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0xMTI2NjA4OSZwPTEmdT0xMDc4MTA4MzYwJmxpPTEwNDg0MDExMA/index.html">thank you video</a>, and read on for important updates out of the meeting.</p>
<h3>Official Actions of the 2023 House of Delegates</h3>
<p>Policymaking is at the heart of the WSMA Annual Meeting, as the approximately 175 WSMA members who make up the House of Delegates, the WSMA's "physician legislature," gather to debate and determine policy for your state medical association. The policies passed during this year’s House of Delegates reflect an urgency on behalf of Washington's physician community to <a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2023/wsma-delegates-adopt-patient-focused-policies-on-ai-unionization-end-of-life-care-more.aspx">reclaim the primacy of the patient-physician relationship and ensure physicians stay in the driver's seat of patient care</a>. For a full account of the actions of the House, download the Official Actions of the 2023 WSMA House of Delegates, available from the <a href="http://WSMA.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0xMTI2NjA4OSZwPTEmdT0xMDc4MTA4MzYwJmxpPTEwNDg0MDExMw/index.html">WSMA website</a>.</p>
<h3>Meet WSMA’s new leadership</h3>
<p>In addition to determining policy for the WSMA, the 2023 House of Delegates inaugurated a new president for the WSMA and elected new officers and board members.</p>
<p>OB-GYN Nariman Heshmati, MD, FACOG, of Mukilteo was inaugurated as WSMA president for 2023-2024. Dr. Heshmati is the executive medical director of affordability, advocacy, and pharmacy for Optum Washington, which includes The Everett Clinic, The Polyclinic, and the Optum Care Network Pacific Northwest.</p>
<p>Newly elected as officers at the meeting: John Bramhall, MD, PhD, Seattle anesthesiologist, president-elect; Bridget Bush, MD, FASA, Anacortes anesthesiologist, vice president; and Matt Hollon, MD, MPH, FACP, Spokane internist, secretary-treasurer. The fifth officer of WSMA's executive committee is Past President Katina Rue, DO, FAAFP, FACOFP, Yakima family physician, who will serve as committee chair.</p>
<p>Newly elected to the association’s board of trustees: Rajneet Lamba, MD, Kirkland internist; Amy Ellingson, MD, Brewster family physician; Lisa Ivanjack, MD, Bothell internist; John Scott, MD, Seattle gastroenterologist; Peter Barkett, MD, Silverdale internist; and Andy Shang, medical student, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences.</p>
<p>Visit wsma.org for a <a href="https://wsma.org/wsma/about_us/who_we_are/board-of-trustees/wsma/about/who_we_are/board-of-trustees.aspx?hkey=57dca355-fca4-4f4e-9c83-6e35aa4baabe">full roster of WSMA board of trustees members and to learn more about the governing bodies of your state medical association</a>.</p>
<h3>2023 Apple Award winners</h3>
<p>This year marked the fifth annual WSMA Apple Awards, so named for the common and locally appropriate symbol of good health. Winners of the 2023 awards:</p>
<ul>
<li>Seattle ophthalmologist Aaron Weingeist, MD, retired Olympia OB-GYN Annie Iriye, MD, and Redmond internist Teresa Girolami, MD, were each presented a Grassroots Advocate Award, recognizing advocacy efforts and activities that support WSMA legislative priorities.</li>
<li>Optum Washington received the 2023 Wellness Award, recognizing an organization that has worked to put the joy back in medicine for Washington physicians, either by supporting a culture of wellness, efficiency of practice, or personal resilience.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Wenatchee family physician Mabel Bodell, MD, received the 2023 William O. Robertson, MD, Patient Safety Award, named after WSMA past-president and patient-safety champion William O. Robertson, MD, recognizing innovative patient safety initiatives in the ambulatory care setting.</li>
<li>Seattle medical leadership educator Ed Walker, MD, received the President’s Unsung Hero Award, recognizing his extraordinary contributions and service to the profession and our community.</li>
</ul>
<p>Congratulations to our award winners!</p>
<h3>Honoring our newest 50-Year Club members</h3>
<p>This year, 15 WSMA members were inducted into the WSMA 50-Year Club, which celebrates and honors members who have been practicing medicine for 50 years. They are: John Adkison, MD, of Yakima; William Butler, MD, of Seattle; Gerald Duris, MD, of Puyallup; Thomas Gillette, MD, of Seattle; William Hutton, MD, of Aberdeen; James Komorous, MD, of Clarkston; Gene Liaw, MD, of Bellevue; John Luber, MD, of Tacoma; Michael Luce, MD, of Dayton; Ronald Maier, MD, of Seattle; Kenneth Mayeda, MD, of Seattle; Leroy Nill, MD, of Edmonds; Benjamin Podemski, MD, of Seattle; Christopher Varley, MD, of Seattle; and Richard Veith, MD, of Seattle.</p>
<h3>2024 Annual Meeting: Save the date!</h3>
<p>Mark your calendars now for next year's meeting, Sept. 28-29 at the Historic Davenport in Spokane.</p>
</div> | 10/12/2023 1:30:05 PM | 10/12/2023 2:20:50 PM |
| wsma-delegates-adopt-patient-focused-policies-on-ai-unionization-end-of-life-care-more | WSMA Delegates Adopt Patient-Focused Policies on AI, Unionization, End-of-Life Care, More | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2023/wsma-delegates-adopt-patient-focused-policies-on-ai-unionization-end-of-life-care-more | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right"><img src="/images/Logos/Press-Release-Graphic-2019-Branding.png" class="pull-right" alt="WSMA press release logo" /></div>
<h5>Oct. 3, 2023</h5>
<h2>WSMA Delegates Adopt Patient-Focused Policies on AI, Unionization, End-of-Life Care, More </h2>
<p>
SEATTLE (Oct. 3, 2023) - With the emergent phase of the pandemic in the rearview mirror, the voting delegates of the Washington State Medical Association turned toward reclaiming the primacy of the patient-physician relationship at their annual conference last month, adopting policies that ensure physicians stay in the driver's seat of patient care and patients remain their focus.
</p>
<p>
The approximately 175 voting delegates who make up WSMA's House of Delegates include representatives from most county medical societies and physician specialties in Washington state and serve as a cross section of the association's physician and physician assistant membership. The WSMA represents nearly 13,000 Washington state physicians, resident physicians, medical students, and physician assistants.
</p>
<p>
"At the WSMA, our motto is 'physician driven, patient focused.' The policies adopted by our delegates this year truly reflect and seek to strengthen both halves of that motto," said Nariman Heshmati, MD, who was named WSMA president for 2023-2024 during the meeting, which took place Sept. 23-24 at The Westin Bellevue hotel.
</p>
<p>
Physicians, their ability to provide quality care to their patients, and the sanctity of the patient-physician relationship are under increasing strain in Washington state and across the U.S., as reflected in abnormally high rates of physician suicide, an epidemic of clinician burnout, and worsening health disparities impacting our communities. The policies passed during the House of Delegates meeting reflect an urgency on behalf of Washington's physician community to address some of the most pressing issues exacerbating this strain, which stand to further erode patient and physician autonomy in directing the health care they receive and provide, as well as the trust that is at the heart of the patient-physician relationship.
</p>
<h3>Patient-focused policies: Putting patients first </h3>
<p>
Reflecting the WSMA's "patient focused" motto, delegates took forward-thinking stands on artificial intelligence and patient autonomy at the end of life, and sought to curb two of the most pressing public health epidemics, opioid addiction and overdose and gun violence, with the following policies:
</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: none;">
<li>
<strong>Artificial intelligence:</strong> Delegates passed a multipronged policy on the use of AI in health care, directing the WSMA to: support efforts to prevent discrimination by AI applications; ensure the use of AI in patient care is transparent to patients; require patient-facing AI systems to be interpretable by human coders and users; and to encourage physicians to engage in a continuous feedback loop with AI systems.
</li>
<br />
<li>
<strong>End-of-life care:</strong> In a historic vote, delegates at the WSMA amended the association's longstanding policy on the withdrawal of life support to read: "For humane reasons, with informed consent, a physician may cease treatment, including artificial nutrition or hydration, when such treatment is no longer desired by a patient, even if doing so would likely result in a patient's death," and coupled that amended policy with a second amended policy that the WSMA "remain committed to professional standards that will always allow our patients to feel safe under our care without fear regarding any conflicting motives physicians may have." These changes in policy reflect the will of a majority of delegates who, in their testimony supporting these amendments, sought to both honor the autonomy of patients in decision-making at the end of life and to empower the WSMA to engage with policymakers on future improvements to the state's Death with Dignity law.
</li>
<br />
<li>
<strong>Opioid use disorder: </strong>As they have in recent years, delegates adopted policy that continues to position the WSMA ahead of national opioid policy and at the forefront of states addressing the opioid epidemic. Policies adopted include: support for the elimination of non-evidence-based buprenorphine limits currently preventing physicians from providing appropriate treatment for opioid use disorder; support for all qualified physicians to prescribe methadone and other opioid use disorder treatment to be dispensed at pharmacies; support for ensuring patients can continue medical treatment of substance use disorder in post-acute and long-term care settings; and support for allocating funds from opioid settlements to be used for health care professional loan repayments that require addressing opioid use disorder.
</li>
<br />
<li>
<strong>Gun violence:</strong> Preventing gun violence has been a WSMA priority for decades, with many strong policies adopted by previous years' delegates. This year, to further raise awareness of the ravages of gun violence that physicians bear witness to when treating its victims, delegates adopted policy asking the WSMA to support legislation requiring firearm owners to obtain and maintain gun liability insurance covering losses or damages resulting from negligent or accidental use of the firearm, and for proof of insurance to be kept where the guns are stored or transported.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Physician-driven: Policies keeping health care physician-led </h3>
<p>
Underscoring WSMA's "physician driven" motto, delegates sought to ensure not only that patient care remain physician-led in the face of a rapidly evolving health care industry, but also that physicians and clinicians are supported appropriately to ensure they are healthy enough to provide that care, by adopting the following policies:
</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: none;">
<li>
<strong>Medical titles and patient safety</strong> - Delegates continue to be concerned about the proliferation of other professions using the term "doctor" and the potential for patient confusion and patient safety issues in health care settings when the credentials of the attending health professional are not easily understood. Delegates adopted policies advocating for: enforcement of regulations in health care settings to prevent the misappropriation of medical titles; initiatives to raise public awareness about the different health care disciplines and the responsibilities of each; establishment of a standardized system for verifying medical credentials; discouraging the misappropriation of titles such as doctor, physician, and specialty titles in health care settings; and condemning false advertising and misrepresentation of medical credentials by non-physicians. </li>
<br />
<li>
<strong>Physician wellness</strong> - Confronting the epidemics of physician burnout and suicide, delegates passed policies advocating for state legislation recognizing entities that function as physician wellness programs and protecting the confidentiality of participants of such programs.
</li>
<br />
<li>
<strong>Protecting the profession</strong> - Reflecting the continued move away from independent medical practice and toward physician employment within hospitals and health systems, delegates sought to empower the employed physician voice by adopting policy supporting physicians in their decision-making when determining whether to unionize and for improvements in noncompete agreements and laws. Delegates directed the WSMA to provide more information on both topics, demonstrating growing concerns in the physician community that their clinical voice may diminish in today's health care environment.
</li>
</ul>
<p>
"The health care delivery system has rapidly evolved in Washington state over the past 10 years," said Dr. Heshmati. "It is critical that physicians continue to be the leading voice for what is paramount: our patients' health. The WSMA is committed to helping physicians in our state be engaged leaders and patient advocates to ensure a healthy Washington."
</p>
<p>
The WSMA is the largest physician professional association in the state and is at the table for health care policymaking discussions in the state Legislature, with state agencies and insurers, in the courts, and at the federal level - any arena where health care decisions are made. Policies adopted by the WSMA House of Delegates each year provide the underpinning for the association's advocacy during these discussions and when responding to issues that arise in health care and in the media.
</p>
<p><em>Interview opportunities with WSMA President Nariman Heshmati, MD, are available.</em></p>
<p>
For more information, contact:
</p>
<p>
Graham Short<br />
WSMA Director of Communications<br />
206.329.6851 (cell/text)<br />
<a href="mailto:gfs@wsma.org">gfs@wsma.org</a>
</p>
<p><strong>About the WSMA</strong><br />
The Washington State Medical Association represents nearly 13,000 physicians, physician assistants, resident physicians, and medical students across all specialties and practice types in Washington state. The WSMA has advocated on behalf of the house of medicine for more than 125 years. Our vision is to make Washington state the best place to practice medicine and receive care.
</p>
</div> | 11/3/2023 11:11:20 AM | 10/3/2023 12:00:00 AM |
| mukilteo-ob-gyn-named-president-of-wsma | Mukilteo OB-GYN Named President of WSMA | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2023/mukilteo-ob-gyn-named-president-of-wsma | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right"><img src="/images/Logos/Press-Release-Graphic-2019-Branding.png" class="pull-right" alt="WSMA press release logo" /></div>
<h5>Sept. 25, 2023</h5>
<h2>Mukilteo OB-GYN Named President of WSMA</h2>
<p>
SEATTLE - Mukilteo obstetrician-gynecologist Nariman Heshmati, MD, MBA, FACOG, was named president of the Washington State Medical Association at its annual House of Delegates meeting on Sunday, Sept. 24. The WSMA represents nearly 13,000 physicians, physician assistants, resident physicians, and medical students throughout Washington state.
</p>
<p>
Dr. Heshmati is the executive medical director of affordability, advocacy, and pharmacy for Optum Washington, which includes The Everett Clinic, The Polyclinic, and The Optum Care Network Pacific Northwest. In his role at Optum Washington, Dr. Heshmati has accountability for total cost of care, external relationships, and pharmacy services.
</p>
<p>
Born in Iran to a family of clinicians-his father an orthopedic surgeon and his mother a psychologist-a young Dr. Heshmati and his family fled their home country during the Iranian Revolution, eventually emigrating to the United States and settling in Satellite Beach, Florida. Reestablishing medical careers in their new country, Dr. Heshmati's father and mother became role models for their children, inspiring them to pursue careers in medicine, with Dr. Heshmati's brother also becoming a physician and his sister a psychologist.
</p>
<p>
Dr. Heshmati received his undergraduate degree in 2001 at the University of Florida in Gainesville, followed by a medical doctorate in 2005 from Florida State University in Tallahassee where he served as class president and founded the medical school college council. He completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology in 2009 at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, during which time he was a contributor to the 5th edition textbook of Blueprints in Obstetrics &amp; Gynecology. Dr. Heshmati recently received an MBA from Seattle University.
</p>
<p>
Dr. Heshmati moved to Mukilteo, Washington, in 2009 with his wife Kathryne to join The Everett Clinic, where they continue to live with their two children, Robert and Sirena. Dr. Heshmati has served Everett and the surrounding Snohomish County communities as a practicing OB-GYN for more than 14 years and has pursued executive and leadership roles in local clinics and health systems. At Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, he served as chief of women's and children's services and medical director of obstetrics. At The Everett Clinic, he has served on the clinical leadership board, as a senior regional medical director, as medical director of advocacy, and as associate medical director of surgical services, among other roles.
</p>
<p>
Demonstrating a steadfast commitment to his community and to organized medicine, Dr. Heshmati has served on the Washington Health Alliance Low Back Pain Implementation Collaborative, was appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee to the Washington Pandemic After Action Review Task Force, and is on the March of Dimes Washington State board of directors. He is the Washington section legislative chair for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Along with his membership in the WSMA and the national and state chapters of his specialty society, he is a member of the American Medical Association. In addition to his executive leadership at the WSMA, Dr. Heshmati serves as a WSMA delegate to the AMA and is past board chair of WSMA's political action committee, WAMPAC.
</p>
<p>
Dr. Heshmati is widely published, has presented at numerous national conferences including AMGA (formerly American Medical Group Association), Becker's Hospital Review, America's Physician Groups, and State of Reform, and has received a number of awards, including Seattle Met Magazine "Top Doc." He is the host of a popular YouTube channel, "DrNari," featuring women's health informational videos and is active on X, formerly known as Twitter, under the handle "@nariheshmati."
</p>
<p>
The following physicians were also elected as officers at the meeting: John Bramhall, MD, PhD, Seattle anesthesiologist, president-elect; Bridget Bush, MD, FASA, Anacortes anesthesiologist, vice president; and Matt Hollon, MD, MPH, FACP, Spokane internist, secretary-treasurer. The fifth officer of WSMA's executive committee is Past President Katina Rue, DO, FAAFP, FACOFP, Yakima family physician, who will serve as committee chair.
</p>
<p>
WSMA members newly elected to the association’s board of trustees include Rajneet Lamba, MD, Kirkland internist; Amy Ellingson, MD, Brewster family physician; Lisa Ivanjack, MD, Bothell internist; John Scott, MD, Seattle gastroenterologist; Peter Barkett, MD, Silverdale internist; and Andy Shang, medical student, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences. For more information, see this&nbsp;<a href="https://wsma.org/wsma/about_us/leadership/board_of_trustees/wsma/about/leadership/board_of_trustees/board_of_trustees.aspx?hkey=0abc484b-c165-4fb1-90b5-1f72370b18d2">full roster of WSMA board of trustees members</a>.
</p>
<p>
<a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/News and Publications/Press Room/nariman-heshmati-md-wsma.jpg]">Download a high-resolution portrait of WSMA President Nariman Heshmati, MD, FACOG</a>.
</p>
<p>
For more information, contact:
</p>
<p>
Graham Short<br />
WSMA Director of Communications<br />
206.329.6851 (cell/text)<br />
<a href="mailto:gfs@wsma.org">gfs@wsma.org</a>
</p>
<p><strong>About the WSMA</strong><br />
The Washington State Medical Association represents nearly 13,000 physicians, physician assistants, resident physicians, and medical students across all specialties and practice types in Washington state. The WSMA has advocated on behalf of the house of medicine for more than 125 years. Our vision is to make Washington state the best place to practice medicine and receive care.
</p>
</div> | 9/25/2023 11:08:26 AM | 9/25/2023 12:00:00 AM |
| 2023-wsma-annual-meeting-is-this-weekend-some-final-updates | 2023 WSMA Annual Meeting Is This Weekend! Some Final Updates | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/september-22/2023-wsma-annual-meeting-is-this-weekend-some-final-updates | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2023/september/2023-annual-meeting-main-graphic-v2-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="2023 WSMA Annual Meeting House of Delegates logo" /></div>
<h5>September 22, 2023</h5>
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<h2>2023 WSMA Annual Meeting Is This Weekend! Some Final Updates</h2>
<p>We look forward to seeing many of you this weekend at the <a href="[@]wsma/events/annual_meeting/wsma/events/annual_meeting/annual_meeting.aspx?hkey=fea49254-3815-4dc9-8710-53ff2e3a100f">2023 Annual Meeting of the WSMA House of Delegates</a> at The Westin Bellevue. If you didn't preregister for the meeting, don't worry; walk-in registration, free for WSMA members, will be available in the Grand Ballroom Foyer. Here's a brief rundown of a few top need-to-know items for this weekend's meeting.</p>
<h3>Parking Information</h3>
<p>Self-parking for the Westin is available at the Lincoln Square north parking garage on level P4 or P5 near the south elevators. From there, you can take the south elevator up to the hotel lobby. Directional signage is posted. Parking in the Lincoln Square garage is free all weekend.</p>
<h3>Agenda</h3>
<p>All meetings will be held on the third floor of the hotel. A copy of the meeting agenda can be found <a href="[@]doc_library/events/annual-meeting/2023/wsma-annual-meeting-agenda-2023.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">here</a> and on the <a href="[@]wsma/events/annual_meeting/wsma/events/annual_meeting/annual_meeting.aspx?hkey=fea49254-3815-4dc9-8710-53ff2e3a100f">meeting webpage</a>.</p>
<h3>Walk-in registration and meeting check-in</h3>
<p>Walk-in registration and meeting check-in begin at 7 a.m. on Saturday in the Grand Ballroom Foyer. A continental breakfast will be available. When you check in at the meeting, don't forget to get your tickets to the WAMPAC Luncheon on Saturday (see next item).</p>
<h3>WAMPAC Luncheon-tickets going fast!</h3>
<p>WAMPAC, the nonpartisan campaign arm of the WSMA, is hosting its annual luncheon on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. We'll be joined by House Majority Leader Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon (D-Burien) and new House Minority Leader Rep. Drew Stokesbary (R-Auburn). Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at the registration desk while supplies last. Tickets are free for WAMPAC Diamond Club members.</p>
<h3>First-time/early career attendees breakfast</h3>
<p>Is this your first time attending the WSMA Annual Meeting or are you an early career physician? Come to our first-time attendee/early career physician breakfast at 7 a.m. on Saturday in the Lake Coeur D'Alene Room to learn more about how the House of Delegates operates.</p>
<h3>Participating in policymaking</h3>
<p>WSMA members who wish to provide testimony on any of the nearly 40 resolutions up for discussion at the meeting may do so during the reference committee hearings that begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday in Grand Ballrooms B and C. All reports and resolutions under consideration are compiled in the delegate handbook, available from the <a href="[@]annual-meeting">meeting webpage</a>.</p>
<h3>Saturday afternoon plenary presentations</h3>
<p>After lunch on Saturday, join us in the Grand Ballroom B-C for several plenary presentations on critical health topics. First up are two CME sessions:</p>
<ul>
<li>2 p.m. - Stephen Bezruchka, MD: How Can Doctors Make America Healthy Again?</li>
<li>3:30 p.m. - Ed Walker, MD, MHA: Are You Reacting to Crisis or Leading Transformational Change?</li>
</ul>
<p>These activities have been approved for <em>AMA PRA Category 1 Credit</em><sup>TM</sup>.</p>
<p>Following these presentations, at 4:30 p.m., we'll hear from Sandra Fryhofer, MD, immediate past chair of the AMA Board of Trustees, with an update on AMA's Recovery Plan for America's Physicians.</p>
<h3>New president's inauguration and reception</h3>
<p>Directly following the presidential inauguration on Saturday at 5:15 p.m. in Grand Ballroom B-C, we'll kick off a reception for all meeting attendees at 5:30 p.m. in the Lake Washington Room honoring WSMA's newest president, Nariman Heshmati, MD.</p>
<h3>Reception for WSMA leadership courses alumni with Ed Walker, MD, MHA </h3>
<p>All alumni of WSMA's leadership courses are invited to join Dr. Walker and fellow leadership course graduates at our reception at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday in the Lake Washington Room to network, reconnect, and mingle.</p>
<h3>Follow (and join) the action on social media</h3>
<p>Share your photos and experience at the meeting on social media! Use our meeting hashtag, #WSMAannual, and tag us (@WSMA<span style="text-decoration: underline;">_</span>update) and our speakers in your posts on Twitter/X:</p>
<ul>
<li>Stephen Bezruchka, MD - @SBezruchka</li>
<li>Sandra Fryhofer, MD - @DrSandyFryhofer</li>
<li>Nariman Heshmati, MD - @NariHeshmati</li>
</ul>
<p>For Facebook users, follow us at @Washington State Medical Association and tag us in your posts!</p>
<h3>Final report on the official actions of the 2023 HOD</h3>
<p>The final report on the official actions of the 2023 WSMA House of Delegates will be available from the WSMA website in the weeks after the meeting.</p>
<p>Be sure to review the <a href="[@]doc_library/events/annual-meeting/2023/wsma-annual-meeting-agenda-2023.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">agenda</a> for a comprehensive look at the meeting details. For those attending the meeting this weekend, we'll see you shortly!</p>
<p><em>Thank you to our corporate partners for their generous support: Physicians Insurance; Optum, The Polyclinic, and The Everett Clinic; and the UW Psychiatry Consultation Line. If your company would like to be a WSMA Corporate Partner, contact Milana McLead at </em><a href="mailto:milana@wsma.org"><em>milana@wsma.org</em></a><em>.</em></p>
</div> | 11/29/2023 4:14:13 PM | 9/22/2023 12:00:00 AM |
| wsma-joins-wsam-in-requesting-bree-collaborative-review-of-oud-treatment-practices | WSMA Joins WSAM in Requesting Bree Collaborative Review of OUD Treatment Practices | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/september-22/wsma-joins-wsam-in-requesting-bree-collaborative-review-of-oud-treatment-practices | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2023/september/buprenorphine-butrans10mcg-645px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="Packets of Butrans" /></div>
<h5>September 22, 2023</h5>
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<h2>WSMA Joins WSAM in Requesting Bree Collaborative Review of OUD Treatment Practices</h2>
<p>Each year, the Dr. Robert Bree Collaborative identifies and selects health care services to review that either have high variation in the way care is delivered, are frequently used but do not lead to better care or patient health, or that have patient safety issues. Once topics are formally selected, the Bree Collaborative forms expert work groups to review existing data and current policies, regulations, and practices to develop related recommendations for the Washington State Health Care Authority to guide the type of health care provided to Medicaid enrollees, state employees, and other groups.</p>
<p>Topic proposals from interested stakeholders were due July 2023. Citing existing WSMA policy, the Washington Society of Addiction Medicine formally requested WSMA's leadership to extend its support of WSAM's proposals on eliminating buprenorphine dose limits and expanding access to medication for opioid use disorder in residential treatment facilities. In advance of the Bree Collaborative finalizing 2024 topics, the WSMA submitted <a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/News and Publications/newsletters/2023/wsma-letter-of-support-wsam-2024-topic-proposals.pdf]">a letter of support of WSAM's proposals</a>, noting the state's need to improve health care delivery and outcomes for individuals impacted by opioid use disorder, especially as overdoses in Washington state have <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/drug-overdose-data.htm">increased 31%</a> between April 2022 and April 2023.</p>
<p>The WSMA is monitoring the Bree Collaborative's discussions on 2024 proposals and will report out on final topics once they are selected.</p>
</div> | 9/21/2023 2:45:27 PM | 9/22/2023 12:00:00 AM |
| 2023-wsma-annual-meeting-online-registration-ends-midnight-sept-19 | 2023 WSMA Annual Meeting: Online Registration Ends Midnight, Sept. 19 | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/september-7/2023-wsma-annual-meeting-online-registration-ends-midnight-sept-19 | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2023/september/2023-annual-meeting-main-graphic-v2-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="2023 WSMA Annual Meeting House of Delegates logo" /></div>
<h5>September 8, 2023</h5>
<h2>2023 WSMA Annual Meeting: Online Registration Ends Midnight, Sept. 19</h2>
<p>Join your colleagues from across the state Sept. 23-24 for the 2023 Annual Meeting of the WSMA House of Delegates, held in person at The Westin Bellevue. <a href="https://wsma.org/wsma/events/annual_meeting/wsma/events/annual_meeting/annual_meeting.aspx?hkey=fea49254-3815-4dc9-8710-53ff2e3a100f&amp;_zs=A3aFd1&amp;_zl=FiBB9">Online registration</a> closes at midnight on Tuesday, Sept. 19. The meeting is free for WSMA members. Walk-in registration will be available at the meeting site.</p>
<h3>Delegate handbook now available </h3>
<p>The delegate handbook is now available for download from the <a href="https://wsma.org/wsma/events/annual_meeting/wsma/events/annual_meeting/annual_meeting.aspx?hkey=fea49254-3815-4dc9-8710-53ff2e3a100f&amp;_zs=A3aFd1&amp;_zl=FiBB9">Annual Meeting webpage</a>. The handbook contains the reports and resolutions that will be considered by delegates at the 2023 WSMA Annual Meeting as well as other meeting information.</p>
<h3>CME sessions</h3>
<p>Join us for two general CME sessions on Saturday, Sept. 23, during the meeting:</p>
<ul>
<li>Stephen Bezruchka, MD: How Can Doctors Make America Healthy Again? <br />
Dr. Bezruchka's presentation will consider what it would take for Washington to become the healthiest state in the nation.</li>
<li>Ed Walker, MD, MHA: Are You Reacting to Crisis or Leading Transformational Change? <br />
Dr. Walker will present a session focused on the importance of burnout recognition and treatment from a system-level perspective rather than a self-care, wellness model.</li>
</ul>
<p>These activities have been approved for <em>AMA PRA Category 1 Credit</em><sup>TM</sup>.</p>
<h3>WAMPAC luncheon featuring key legislative leaders</h3>
<p>WAMPAC, the nonpartisan campaign arm of the WSMA, is hosting its annual luncheon event on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 12:30 p.m. We are excited to be joined by House Majority Leader Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon (D-Burien) and new House Minority Leader Rep. Drew Stokesbary (R-Auburn). Together, the House leaders will discuss policy and campaign priorities of their respective caucuses and answer questions from the audience. The luncheon will also include a raffle for WAMPAC Diamond Club contributors with fantastic prizes, lovely food and dessert, and the opportunity to participate in a game of political trivia! Tickets for the luncheon are $50 and can be purchased when <a href="[@]wsma/events/annual_meeting/wsma/events/annual_meeting/annual_meeting.aspx?hkey=fea49254-3815-4dc9-8710-53ff2e3a100f&amp;_zs=A3aFd1&amp;_zl=FiBB9">registering for the Annual Meeting</a>. Tickets to the luncheon are free for WAMPAC Diamond Club members.</p>
<h3>New president's reception</h3>
<p>Directly following the presidential inauguration on Saturday at 5:15 p.m., we'll kick off a reception at 5:30 p.m. in honor of WSMA's newest president, Nariman Heshmati, MD.</p>
<h3>Reception for WSMA leadership courses alumni with Ed Walker, MD, MHA </h3>
<p>All alumni of WSMA's leadership courses are invited to attend a special reception with Dr. Walker at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday to network, reconnect, and mingle with fellow leadership course graduates. Tickets not required.</p>
<h3>Thank you to our corporate partners </h3>
<p>Thank you to our corporate partners for their generous support: Physicians Insurance; Optum, The Polyclinic, and The Everett Clinic; and the UW Psychiatry Consultation Line.</p>
</div> | 9/7/2023 4:48:06 PM | 9/8/2023 12:00:00 AM |
| update-on-implementation-of-balance-billing-laws | Update on Implementation of Balance Billing Laws | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/september-7/update-on-implementation-of-balance-billing-laws | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2023/september/invoice_645x425.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="Calculator, stethoscope, bill, pen" /></div>
<h5>September 8, 2023</h5>
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<h2>Update on Implementation of Balance Billing Laws</h2>
<p>Your WSMA has engaged extensively in recent years on state and federal legislation relating to balance billing, seeking to ensure fair reimbursement and associated policies in circumstances where physicians provide care to enrollees of health plans they are not contracted with. With the passage of a state law, the Balance Billing Protection Act, in 2019 and a federal law, the No Surprises Act, in 2020, our attention has turned to how the two laws are implemented. WSMA members should be aware of recent important updates on both laws.</p>
<p>At the state level, disputes on appropriate reimbursement are governed by an arbitration process under the Balance Billing Protection Act. The state arbitration system was slated to be decommissioned on July 1, with dispute resolution migrating to the federal independent dispute resolution system under the No Surprises Act. Due to WSMA advocacy, the state's Office of the Insurance Commissioner <a href="https://www.insurance.wa.gov/arbitration-and-using-balance-billing-data-set?utm_content=&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_name=&amp;utm_source=govdelivery&amp;utm_term=">recently announced</a> that the state arbitration system will remain in place at least until July 1, 2024. This is a positive development as state arbitration has produced favorable results for physicians, in terms of payment determinations as well as maintaining incentives for insurance carriers to contract.</p>
<p>By contrast to the experience of the state arbitration system, the implementation of federal independent dispute resolution system has been disastrous. Federal regulators repeatedly went beyond the bounds of the law passed by Congress to skew the dispute resolution process towards insurance carriers. The Texas Medical Association has brought <em>four</em> successful lawsuits challenging the implementation of the dispute resolution process (the fourth favorable <a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/texas-docs-fourth-courtroom-win-over-hhs-interrupts-out-network-billing-arbitration-yet">ruling issued just last week</a>), and as a response, <a href="https://www.cms.gov/NOSURPRISES">federal regulators have paused the implementation of the dispute resolution system</a> "until the departments can provide additional instructions." </p>
<p>For questions, contact WSMA Director of Government Affairs Sean Graham at <a href="mailto:sean@wsma.org">sean@wsma.org</a>.</p>
</div> | 9/7/2023 9:19:48 AM | 9/8/2023 12:00:00 AM |
| board-of-naturopathy-moves-forward-with-nonsurgical-cosmetic-procedures-rulemaking | Board of Naturopathy Moves Forward with Nonsurgical Cosmetic Procedures Rulemaking | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/august-25/board-of-naturopathy-moves-forward-with-nonsurgical-cosmetic-procedures-rulemaking | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2023/august/mortar-pestle-645x425px.jpeg" class="pull-right" alt="mortar and pestle" /></div>
<h5>August 25, 2023</h5>
<h2>Board of Naturopathy Moves Forward with Nonsurgical Cosmetic Procedures Rulemaking</h2>
<p>During its Aug. 11 meeting, the Board of Naturopathy approved a CR-102 that would allow naturopaths to perform nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, the last step in their years-long effort to increase their scope of practice to include the performance of these procedures. While disappointing, the CR-102 is specific to the use of botulinum toxin, not dermal fillers - a direct result of WSMA advocacy. The CR-102 also requires naturopaths to complete training on aesthetic injectable technique, but there is no hourly requirement or required number of procedures to be performed under supervision. The rule will take effect later this year.</p>
<p>The WSMA, partnered with the Washington Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, the Washington State Dermatology Association, American Dermatology Association and Washington Society of Plastic Surgeons opposed this rulemaking at every opportunity citing patient safety concerns. We've also shared that this procedure is inconsistent with naturopathic medicine and that this rulemaking subverts the legislative process, as the Legislature sets scopes of practice. Most recently, our organization submitted the attached letter opposing the CR-102.</p>
<p>Should you have questions on this rulemaking, contact WSMA Associate Policy Director Billie Dickinson at <a href="mailto:billie@wsma.org">billie@wsma.org</a>.</p>
</div> | 8/24/2023 12:50:41 PM | 8/25/2023 12:00:00 AM |
| update-on-death-with-dignity-rulemaking | Update on Death with Dignity Rulemaking | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/august-25/update-on-death-with-dignity-rulemaking | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2023/august/dominik-lange-vuoiqw4oeli-unsplash-645x425px.jpeg" class="pull-right" alt="elderly person in wheelchair being pushed across a field" /></div>
<h5>August 25, 2023</h5>
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<h2>Update on Death with Dignity Rulemaking</h2>
<p>The state Department of Health filed <a href="https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/2312093DeathWithDignityCR102combined.pdf?uid=648760be91240">WSR 23-17-071</a>, a rulemaking order to adopt the proposed changes to chapter 246-978 WAC. The adopted changes realign the rule chapter with the amendments made to chapter 70.245 RCW, the Washington Death with Dignity Act, during the 2023 legislative session. The rule:</p>
<ul>
<li>Updates definitions by replacing the duplicate definitions with a cross-reference to statute and removing definitions no longer in use.</li>
<li>Replaces "physician" with "qualified medical provider" throughout the chapter.</li>
<li>Replaces the mailing address with "electronically, by mail, or fax."</li>
<li>Removes the publication number after the form name.</li>
<li>Repeals WAC 246-978-030 to remove duplicated language and prevent potential conflicts between statute and rule.</li>
<li>Repeals WAC 246-978-040 because statute no longer requires it.</li>
<li>Makes style changes throughout the chapter that do not change the meaning of the rule.</li>
</ul>
<p>The adopted rule is the same as the proposed rule filed as WSR 23-12-093. The DOH received one supportive written comment and no testimony at the hearing held on July 13, 2023. Chapter 246-978 WAC becomes effective Sept. 13, 2023.</p>
<p>For more information on this rulemaking, visit the <a href="https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/vital-records/rule-making-activities">DOH website</a>. To receive rulemaking notices by email and for any questions about this rulemaking activity, contact <a href="mailto:deathwithdignity@doh.wa.gov">deathwithdignity@doh.wa.gov</a>.</p>
</div> | 8/24/2023 12:51:48 PM | 8/25/2023 12:00:00 AM |
| wsmas-2024-legislative-agenda-a-preview | WSMA's 2024 Legislative Agenda: A Preview | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/august-25/wsmas-2024-legislative-agenda-a-preview | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2023/august/wa-capitol-dome-645x425px.jpeg" class="pull-right" alt="Washington capitol dome" /></div>
<h5>August 25, 2023</h5>
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<h2>WSMA's 2024 Legislative Agenda: A Preview </h2>
<p>Washington state may have a part-time Legislature, but WSMA's government affairs team in Olympia works year-round to advance the interests of the physician community, and today is busy preparing for the 2024 legislative session. The 2024 session will begin on Monday, Jan. 8, and will last 60 days (per the state's constitution, even-numbered years are "short" sessions). Legislators will have the opportunity to tweak the state's two-year budget passed during the 2023 session, and bills that did not pass this year will once again be in play. Among the hundreds of issues the WSMA will track and engage on in the 2024 session, the following are rising to the top of our tentative legislative priorities:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Medicaid reimbursement rate increases</strong>: While the 2023 state budget made a down payment on our request for across-the-board increases for Medicaid professional services to at least the rates paid by Medicare, continued advocacy is needed to ensure that the state fully funds the Medicaid program to reflect the cost of delivering care and ensure patient access.</li>
<li><strong>Health care workforce</strong>: The pandemic put an immense strain on our entire health care system and exacerbated workforce shortages across health care professions. Efforts are needed to support and retain the existing workforce, as well as to invest in education and training to support care delivery and bolster physician-led teams.</li>
<li><strong>Scope of practice</strong>: A number of scope of practice proposals are expected to be considered again and the WSMA will prioritize patient safety and education and training requirements as <a href="[@]wsma/about/policies/whats_our_policy/scope-of-practice/scope-of-practice-general.aspx">guided by our policy</a> when engaging on these issues. Of note, the WSMA is currently working with the Washington Academy of Physician Assistants to consider revisions to the PA Practice Act that would maximize flexibility and employment opportunities for PAs while ensuring appropriate safeguards remain in place.</li>
</ul>
<p>Don't forget to save the date for the WSMA Legislative Summit on Jan. 24, 2024, in Olympia! If you have questions or feedback regarding WSMA's legislative advocacy, reach out to Sean Graham at <a href="mailto:sean@wsma.org">sean@wsma.org</a>.</p>
</div> | 8/24/2023 12:47:40 PM | 8/25/2023 12:00:00 AM |