| an-overview-of-policies-passed-by-the-2024-wsma-house-of-delegates | An Overview of Policies Passed by the 2024 WSMA House of Delegates | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2024/october-11/an-overview-of-policies-passed-by-the-2024-wsma-house-of-delegates | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2024/october/se-01-venticinque-240928-0460-2024-annual-meeting-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="2024 WSMA House of Delegates photo" /></div>
<h5>Oct. 11, 2024</h5>
<h2>An Overview of Policies Passed by the 2024 WSMA House of Delegates</h2>
<p>With 45 resolutions to discuss and act on (and <a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2024/october-11/seattle-anesthesiologist-john-bramhall-md-phd-inaugurated-as-2024-2025-wsma-president.aspx">elections to hold</a>), delegates at the <a href="https://wsma.org/wsma/events/annual_meeting/wsma/events/annual_meeting/annual_meeting.aspx?hkey=fea49254-3815-4dc9-8710-53ff2e3a100f">2024 Annual Meeting of the WSMA House of Delegates</a> had no shortage of work before them. Kudos to the reference committees then, as the final session of the House on Sunday was smooth and succinct, with the recommendations of the reference committees largely left intact, with only a few exceptions.</p>
<p>(For a primer on the role of resolutions, reference committees, and the House of Delegates in policymaking at the WSMA, watch <a href="https://vimeo.com/730122009">this brief video</a>.)</p>
<p>If the final session on Sunday was collegial and process-oriented, the reference committee hearings on Saturday afternoon reflected more detailed and diverse debate, with both reference committees standing-room only as delegates and members gave testimony on individual resolutions and other business to be considered by the House. Testimony given during these in-person committees on Saturday and testimony given in the virtual reference committees in the lead up to the meeting were given much consideration by the reference committee members and staff when creating their reports for the House.</p>
<p>The subsequent policies passed by the House on Sunday reflect ongoing concerns of our member physicians and their county and specialty delegations: the encroachment of prior authorization on physician judgment and medical practice; the impact of health care on climate change and of climate change on health; responding to an epidemic of substance abuse disorder; reimbursement and access to care; non-compete clauses in employment contracts; administrative burden; artificial intelligence; and more.</p>
<p>The following is a summary overview of select policies passed by the 2024 House of Delegates. For a comprehensive report on all of the actions of the House, the Official Actions of the 2024 WSMA House of Delegates is now available on the WSMA website on our <a href="[@]wsma/about_us/who_we_are/house-of-delegates/wsma/about/who_we_are/house-of-delegates.aspx?hkey=c5e98d40-6e37-4bc0-9bda-a7aa66e67919">House of Delegates page</a> or by <a href="https://wsma.org/doc_library/events/annual-meeting/2024/official-actions-2024-final.pdf" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.</p>
<h3>Business of medicine</h3>
<p>The WSMA will:</p>
<ul>
<li>Support a Washington state ban on non-compete clauses for physicians in the state of Washington.</li>
<li>Advocate for legislation for and assist with the development of single-source credentialing to be used by all insurance companies, medical practices, and hospitals in the state of Washington.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Climate change and climate health</h3>
<p>The WSMA will:</p>
<ul>
<li>Support and encourage support for the goals of the National Academy of Sciences Climate Journey Map.</li>
<li>Encourage hospitals and clinics to reduce use of plastics, particularly single-use plastics; endorse legislation to incentivize producers to use reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging.</li>
<li>Encourage hospitals and surgical centers to adopt programs to reduce the climate impacts of anesthesia; support legislation and funding to assist these efforts.</li>
<li>Support Medicaid coverage for in-home visits for patients with asthma and durable medical equipment interventions for indoor air pollution and other asthma triggers.</li>
<li>Support rail and other non-single-occupancy-vehicle transportation that reduces pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Public health</h3>
<p>The WSMA will:</p>
<ul>
<li>Support ongoing research into the long-term effects of social media; support the use of social media guidelines established by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Psychological Association, and the U.S. Surgeon General and encourage physicians to use them as a part of patient care.</li>
<li>Recruit a delegate for and coordinate with the state's Public Health Advisory Board.</li>
<li>Increase awareness of recommendations for syphilis and other sexually transmitted infection screening, prevention, and treatment options; endorse universal screening for syphilis in pregnant persons; support improvements in specimen collection through education and modification of relevant state rules.</li>
<li>Support inclusion of harm-reduction education in competency-based curricula of medical schools and residencies; support increased educational opportunities for physicians on harm reduction as a component of medication-assisted treatment; and advocate for funding for harm-reduction resources and training for physicians and practitioners.</li>
<li>Recommend that the state of Washington make public health-based education on firearm injury prevention a standard part of the mandated health curriculum for high school students.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Prior authorization</h3>
<p>The WSMA will:</p>
<ul>
<li>Advocate for policy changes to reduce the total volume of prior authorization demands on physicians and practitioners and support exemptions for frequently approved devices and drugs.</li>
<li>Support improvements in prior authorization practices in Washington state, including: exemptions for regularly approved services and supplies; ensuring AI denials are reviewed by a human physician; development of clear criteria for peer-to-peer reviews; and improved appeals processes ensuring reviews are conducted by physicians from the same specialty as the physician requesting the appeal.</li>
<li>Support policy that hormonal contraception, long-acting reversible contraception, and immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception devices should be readily available without prior authorization and be covered by Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurers separately from the obstetrical global fee.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Addiction medicine</h3>
<p>The WSMA will:</p>
<ul>
<li>Advocate for the removal of prior authorization for and other payer-based and facility-based obstacles to evidence-based medications for addiction treatment.</li>
<li>Endorse implementation of Health Engagement Hubs: low-barrier, community-based access points using a team-based model of care where people who use drugs can receive medications to treat substance use disorders and support services.</li>
<li>Support Medicaid coverage of comprehensive postpartum services coordinated with infant care for persons with substance use disorder.</li>
<li>Endorse implementation of the COMPASSION five-day stay where birthing people with substance use disorder at the time of delivery can engage in the extended postpartum floor hospital care to receive integrated, patient-centered comprehensive service.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Reimbursement</h3>
<p>The WSMA will:</p>
<ul>
<li>Advocate for the continuation of audio-only telehealth reimbursement as a critical component of equitable health care access; encourage others in health care and advocacy to highlight the importance of audio-only telehealth services in supporting the health needs of all populations, particularly the most vulnerable; support ongoing research to assess the impact of telehealth modalities on health outcomes.</li>
<li>Advocate for legislative, regulatory, and policy changes that will result in commercial payers recognizing and reimbursing the G2211 add-on code.</li>
<li>Advocate for Medicaid to establish uniform coverage for its beneficiaries with diabetes per Medicare guidelines; advocate for comprehensive coverage of continuous glucose monitors for all diabetes patients across different insurance plans, including Medicaid.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Ballot initiatives</h3>
<p>The WSMA will publicly <a href="https://www.no2109.org/#:~:text=Vote%20NO%20on%20I-2109,%20stop%20cuts%20to%20education,%20childcare%20funding">oppose Initiative 2109</a> and provide education to its members and the public to vote "no."</p>
<h3>Insurance coverage</h3>
<p>The WSMA will endorse the establishment of pregnancy as a triggering life event for a special enrollment period in the Affordable Care Act Marketplace.</p>
<h3>AI</h3>
<p>The WSMA will support physicians' and physician assistants' ability to use AI as a tool in improving patient health outcomes, reduce career fatigue, and streamline administrative processes and oppose imposing additional liability on physicians or physician assistants who use augmented/artificial intelligence for clinical and administrative purposes, or the use of AI to either increase administrative burden or impose mandates increasing physician workloads.</p>
</div> | 10/11/2024 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| call-for-feedback-on-draft-oud-treatment-guidelines-from-bree-collaborative | Call for Feedback on Draft OUD Treatment Guidelines from Bree Collaborative | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2024/october-11/call-for-feedback-on-draft-oud-treatment-guidelines-from-bree-collaborative | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2024/october/bree-collaborative-logo-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="Dr. Robert Bree Collaborative logo" /></div>
<h5>Oct. 11, 2024</h5>
<h2>Call for Feedback on Draft OUD Treatment Guidelines from Bree Collaborative</h2>
<p>The Dr. Robert Bree Collaborative is accepting public comment on its draft <a href="https://www.qualityhealth.org/bree/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Revised-OUD-Treatment-Report-24-public-comment-FINAL.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Report and Guidelines 2024</a>. In partnership with the Washington Society of Addiction Medicine, the WSMA supports updating the guidelines to reflect current clinical practice and patient care in the era of fentanyl.</p>
<p>Some of the updated guidelines include encouraging practitioners to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Become educated on the latest evidence-based guidelines.</li>
<li>Universally screen in primary care at least annually for substance use disorders including opioid use disorder using a validated instrument (see NIDA Screening and Assessment Tools) following the United States Preventative Task Force recommendations. Physicians and practitioners not in primary care settings should also routinely screen for substance use disorders using validated instruments.</li>
<li>If a patient screens positive, or independently brings up concerns about their opioid use, ask about frequency, amount, and route of opioid use, perform comprehensive assessment, and discuss medications for opioid use disorder.</li>
</ul>
<p>A complete list of the updated guidelines is available on pages 9-11 of the report.</p>
<p>Once completed, the guidelines will be submitted to the Legislature and may be the foundation of future legislation. We encourage WSMA members to review and provide feedback on the draft report and guidelines before the deadline on Thursday, Oct. 24 at 11:59 p.m.. All comments will be presented anonymously and reviewed at the November work group meeting.</p>
</div> | 10/11/2024 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| seattle-anesthesiologist-john-bramhall-md-phd-inaugurated-as-2024-2025-wsma-president | Seattle Anesthesiologist John Bramhall, MD, PhD, Inaugurated as 2024-2025 WSMA President | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2024/october-11/seattle-anesthesiologist-john-bramhall-md-phd-inaugurated-as-2024-2025-wsma-president | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>Oct. 11, 2024</h5>
<h2>Seattle Anesthesiologist John Bramhall, MD, PhD, Inaugurated as 2024-2025 WSMA President </h2>
<p>In addition to <a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2024/october-11/an-overview-of-policies-passed-by-the-2024-wsma-house-of-delegates.aspx">debating and voting on policy for the WSMA</a>, the <a href="https://wsma.org/wsma/events/annual_meeting/wsma/events/annual_meeting/annual_meeting.aspx?hkey=fea49254-3815-4dc9-8710-53ff2e3a100f">2024 Annual Meeting of the WSMA House of Delegates</a> saw the inauguration of a new president and the election of new WSMA officers and board members.</p>
<p>Seattle anesthesiologist <strong>John Bramhall, MD, PhD</strong>, was inaugurated as WSMA president for 2024-2025 in a traditional passing-of-the-gavel ceremony on Saturday afternoon, followed by a reception in the beautiful Hall of Doges at the Historic Davenport.</p>
<p>Dr. Bramhall recently stepped away from his position as medical director at Harborview Medical Center to serve as WSMA president. He maintains an academic position at the University of Washington School of Medicine as an associate professor in the department of anesthesiology. He brings more than 30 years of experience to his tenure as the medical association president, including a wide variety of front-line clinical roles and extensive administrative responsibilities within a large medical system, as well as 25 years of experience in academic medicine. </p>
<p>On Sunday morning, Dr. Bramhall addressed the House for his inaugural address in an inspiring speech that touched on building community and relationships and making an impact. <a href="[@]Shared_Content/News/ceo-rounds/2024/ceo-rounds-oct-1-2024-showing-up-for-each-other-and-the-house-of-medicine">Read an edited transcript of his speech</a>.</p>
<p>The following physicians were elected as officers at the meeting and will serve with Dr. Bramhall on the executive committee: <strong>Bridget Bush, MD, FASA</strong>, Anacortes anesthesiologist, president-elect; <strong>Matt Hollon, MD, MPH, MACP</strong>, Spokane internist, vice president; and <strong>Bindu Nayak, MD</strong>, Wenatchee endocrinologist, secretary-treasurer. The fifth officer of WSMA's executive committee is Past-President <strong>Nariman Heshmati, MD, MBA, FACOG</strong>, Mukilteo OB-GYN, who will serve as committee chair.</p>
<p>WSMA members newly elected to the association's board of trustees include the following:</p>
<p>Elected as trustees at large for two-year terms were <strong>Avanti Bergquist, MD</strong>, Bellevue psychiatrist; <strong>Stephanie Hansen, DO</strong>, Toppenish internist; <strong>Trace Julsen, MD</strong>, Spokane family physician; <strong>Vivienne Meljen, MD</strong>, Vancouver OBGYN; and <strong>Alan Melnick, MD</strong>, Vancouver preventive medicine physician.</p>
<p>Elected to serve on the board as an American Medical Association alternate delegate for a two-year term was <strong>Heather Phipps, DO</strong>, Kennewick sports medicine physician. <strong>Anukrati Shukla, MD</strong>, Monroe internist, was elected to serve as young physician trustee and <strong>Jacob Leary, MD</strong>, Seattle internist, was elected to serve as resident trustee, both one-year terms.</p>
<p>Visit the WSMA website for a full roster of the <a href="[@]wsma/about_us/who_we_are/board-of-trustees/wsma/about/who_we_are/board-of-trustees.aspx?hkey=57dca355-fca4-4f4e-9c83-6e35aa4baabe">2024-2025 WSMA board of trustees</a>.</p>
</div> | 10/11/2024 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| updated-payment-and-coding-information-for-the-2024-2025-flu-season | Updated Payment and Coding Information for the 2024-2025 Flu Season | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2024/october-11/updated-payment-and-coding-information-for-the-2024-2025-flu-season | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2024/october/cdc-flu-vax-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="Person receiving vaccine shot in shoulder" /></div>
<h5>Oct. 11, 2024</h5>
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<h2>Updated Payment and Coding Information for the 2024-2025 Flu Season</h2>
<p>In preparation for the 2024-2025 flu season, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has increased payments to physicians for flu vaccines and updated coding guidance for physicians and practices billing for flu vaccine services.</p>
<p>Physicians should bill CPT codes 90653-90673 depending on which flu vaccine they use. These codes have payment allowances varying from $10.93 to $83.49, an overall increase from last year. All CPT codes became active Aug. 1 and will remain in use until July 31, 2025. CMS revises the code list annually. <a href="https://www.cms.gov/medicare/payment/part-b-drugs/vaccine-pricing">More information on vaccine pricing and coding</a> available on the CMS website. Physicians and coding staff are advised to use <a href="https://ndclist.com/search">a national drug code</a> associated with the current period to ensure payment.</p>
<p>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual flu shots for everyone 6 months and older each flu season. Medicare Part B covers the seasonal flu shot. Medicare covers additional flu shots when medically necessary. Patients can get flu shots twice in a calendar year during two different flu seasons, and Medicare will pay for both shots. <a href="https://www.cms.gov/flu-provider">More on Medicare coverage for flu shots</a>.</p>
</div> | 10/11/2024 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| wsma-announces-winners-of-2024-apple-awards | WSMA Announces Winners of 2024 Apple Awards | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2024/october-11/wsma-announces-winners-of-2024-apple-awards | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2024/october/SE-01-Venticinque_240928_0343-Edit-Heshmati-Hauxwell-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="Clint Hauxwell, MD receiving a WSMA Apple Award" /></div>
<h5>Oct. 11, 2024</h5>
<h2>WSMA Announces Winners of 2024 Apple Awards</h2>
<p>Five physicians and three health care organizations have been recognized by the WSMA for their extraordinary leadership, service, and contributions to medicine and patient safety. These recognitions were part of the WSMA Apple Awards program presented during the opening session of the 2024 Annual Meeting of the WSMA House of Delegates on Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Historic Davenport in Spokane.</p>
<p>Four WSMA members received 2024 Grassroots Advocate Awards, honoring physicians for their advocacy efforts on behalf of the WSMA and for the physician profession. They are: <strong>Chris Chambers, MD</strong>, a Seattle surgeon specializing in oculofacial plastic and cosmetic surgery, for his testimony in opposition to optometric and naturopathic scope of practice expansion efforts and other legislative and regulatory assistance; <strong>Judy Kimelman, MD</strong>, retired Bainbridge Island OB-GYN formerly with Seattle Obstetrics and Gynecology Group, a physician-owned practice that closed its doors earlier this year, for her advocacy on economic pressures facing independent practice and her support of confidentiality protections for physician wellness programs; <strong>Douglas Seiler, MD</strong>, Tacoma radiologist and president of TRA Medical Imaging, for his advocacy on behalf of patient access to care and the Medicaid Access Program; and <strong>Mark Vossler, MD</strong>, retired Kirkland cardiologist and co-chair of the Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility Climate and Health Task Force, for his advocacy on behalf of environmental medicine.</p>
<p>The 2024 Wellness Award, which recognizes an organization that has worked to put the joy back in medicine for Washington physicians, was presented to <strong>Wenatchee Valley Medical Group</strong> and <strong>Confluence Health</strong>. The Wenatchee-based medical group and medical center were recognized for a multipronged effort that included hiring a director of provider leadership development, adopting the Leadership Index, developing a Leadership Academy, and implementing a peer support program, among many other wellness and engagement activities to support the well-being of physicians and practitioners.</p>
<p>The 2024 William O. Robertson, MD, Patient Safety Award, which recognizes innovative patient safety initiatives in the ambulatory care setting, was awarded to <strong>Family Medicine of Southwest Washington</strong>. The Vancouver-based PeaceHealth-affiliated community clinic was honored for its contribution to improved patient safety and care through the creation of The League of Safety, a committee dedicated to the implementation of an enhanced violence prevention and rapid response specific to its clinic setting and culture.</p>
<p>The 2024 President's Unsung Hero Award, which recognizes the WSMA member who contributes extraordinary service to the profession and our community, was presented to <strong>Clint Hauxwell, MD</strong>, Spokane primary care physician with MultiCare Rockwood Clinic and co-director of Foundations of Clinical Medicine University of Washington School of Medicine Spokane. Dr. Hauxwell was honored for his long legacy of strong leadership, dedication to service, and contributions to the betterment of health care through his teaching, his sponsoring students in his clinic, and his service on UW faculty.</p>
<p>Congratulations to these worthy winners-and thank you for all you do to make Washington state the best place to practice medicine and to receive care. </p>
<p><em>Photo: Clint Hauxwell, MD, receives the President’s Unsung Hero Award from WSMA Past President Nari Heshmati, MD, at the 2024 WSMA Annual Meeting on Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Historic Davenport in Spokane.</em></p>
</div> | 10/11/2024 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| wsma-launches-your-care-is-at-our-core-advocacy-campaign | WSMA Launches Your Care Is at Our Core Advocacy Campaign | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2024/october-11/wsma-launches-your-care-is-at-our-core-advocacy-campaign | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2024/october/quality-care-wa-physicians-reports-promo.png" class="pull-right" alt="Your Care Is At Our Core graphic" /></div>
<h5>Oct. 11, 2024</h5>
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<h2>WSMA Launches Your Care Is at Our Core Advocacy Campaign</h2>
<p>At the 2024 WSMA Annual Meeting in late September in Spokane, with American Medical Association President-Elect Bobby Mukkamala, MD, in attendance, the WSMA heralded its new <a href="[@]wsma/advocacy/your-care-is-at-our-core/wsma/advocacy/your-care-is-at-our-core.aspx?hkey=e7b72239-4fec-4a55-92d9-462cbf769389">Your Care is At Our Core campaign</a>, a broad communications efforts conducted in partnership with the AMA to highlight the importance of the patient-physician relationship.</p>
<p>"Physicians enter the practice of medicine because they are caring, compassionate, and genuinely want to help others," says WSMA President John Bramhall, MD, PhD. "They are very protective of the time they spend with their patients—time to have questions answered, time for a second look, time to make the best choices together to provide the best quality care."</p>
<p>During the Annual Meeting, delegates and members received Your Care Is at Our Core buttons and postcards and had multiple opportunities to watch the campaign's introductory video.</p>
<p><a href="https://vimeo.com/1003802262">Watch the WSMA Your Care Is at Our Core campaign video</a>.</p>
<p>"Time spent arguing with insurers over care decisions, or fighting for reimbursements just to cover the basic costs of the care being provided is time stolen from their patients," says Dr. Bramhall. "Physicians are patients' best advocates, and it's way past time for us to push back together against artificial barriers preventing patients from accessing timely, needed care, and that keep physicians trapped in a cycle of frustration and burnout."</p>
<p>The Your Care Is at Our Core campaign will largely focus on public messaging through social media and other outlets, with a steady stream of messaging reminding patients and the public at large that the patient-doctor relationship is central to health care, that physicians should be central to treatment decisions and care; and that red tape bureaucracy makes it harder for physicians to provide the best care to patients.</p>
<p>For our members on social media, keep an eye out for our campaign messaging and help boost to your audiences. To learn more about the campaign, visit <a href="[@]wsma/advocacy/your-care-is-at-our-core/wsma/advocacy/your-care-is-at-our-core.aspx?hkey=e7b72239-4fec-4a55-92d9-462cbf769389">the campaign homepage on the WSMA website</a> and stay tuned for updates in our communications in the months ahead.</p>
<p>Physicians are fighting alongside their patients. We look forward to amplifying their efforts through the <a href="[@]wsma/advocacy/your-care-is-at-our-core/wsma/advocacy/your-care-is-at-our-core.aspx?hkey=e7b72239-4fec-4a55-92d9-462cbf769389">Your Care Is at Our Core campaign</a> and hope you will continue to follow along.</p>
</div> | 10/11/2024 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| rally-and-canvass-with-gov-inslee-to-sound-the-alarm-on-i-2117 | Rally and Canvass with Gov. Inslee to Sound the Alarm on I-2117 | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/advocacy-report/2024/october-4/rally-and-canvass-with-gov-inslee-to-sound-the-alarm-on-i-2117 | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/advocacy-report/2024/october/no-on-2117-logo-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="No 2117: A Bad Deal for Washington graphic" /></div>
<h5>Oct. 4, 2024</h5>
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<h2>Rally and Canvass with Gov. Inslee to Sound the Alarm on I-2117</h2>
<p>Join Gov. Jay Inslee and the No on 2117 campaign this weekend and next to talk directly to voters about the harm I-2117 would cause Washington communities. The governor and grassroots advocates are traveling across the state for a series of rallies and canvasses to spread the word about how I-2117 would endanger health and devastate our transportation system.</p>
<p>Last year, the WSMA board of trustees voted to support the No on 2117 campaign, pursuant to WSMA policy adopted by the House of Delegates in 2018 that specifically supports investments in clean energy via a fee on large suppliers of CO2-emitting products. Since 2016, the WSMA's House of Delegates has adopted policies that urge the association to work on solutions that both reduce pollution and address the issue of climate change to promote healthier, sustainable communities.</p>
<p>Join the governor and advocates for a door-knocking event near you:</p>
<p><strong>Saturday, Oct. 5</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.mobilize.us/no2117/event/711697/"><strong>Whatcom Rally and Door Knocking with Governor Inslee</strong></a></li>
<ul>
<li><strong>Date: Saturday, Oct. 5 at </strong>10:30 a.m. PST</li>
<li><strong>Location: </strong>Aslan Brewing Co., Bellingham, WA</li>
</ul>
<li><a href="https://www.mobilize.us/no2117/event/711707/"><strong>Everett Rally and Door Knocking with Governor Inslee</strong></a></li>
<ul>
<li><strong>Date: Saturday, Oct. 5 at </strong>2 p.m. PST</li>
<li><strong>Location: </strong>Labor Temple, Everett, WA</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<p><strong>Sunday, Oct. 6</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.mobilize.us/no2117/event/711860/"><strong>South King County Rally and Door Knocking with Governor Inslee</strong></a></li>
<ul>
<li><strong>Date: Sunday, Oct. 6 at </strong>10:30 a.m. PST</li>
<li><strong>Location: </strong>Living Well Kent Greenhouse, Auburn, WA</li>
</ul>
<li><a href="https://mobilize.us/s/KEa3tT"><strong>Tacoma Rally and Door Knocking with Governor Inslee</strong></a></li>
<ul>
<li><strong>Date: Sunday, Oct. 6 at </strong>1 p.m. PST</li>
<li><strong>Location: </strong>Mi Centro, Tacoma, WA</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<p><strong>Saturday, Oct. 12</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.mobilize.us/no2117/event/714088/"><strong>Thurston Rally and Door Knocking with Governor Inslee</strong></a></li>
<ul>
<li><strong>Date: Saturday, Oct. 12 at </strong>10 a.m. PST</li>
<li><strong>Location:</strong> Marathon Park, Olympia, WA</li>
</ul>
<li><a href="https://www.mobilize.us/no2117/event/714002/"><strong>Vancouver Rally and Door Knocking with Governor Inslee</strong></a></li>
<ul>
<li><strong>Date: Saturday, Oct. 12 at </strong>2 p.m. PST</li>
<li><strong>Location:</strong> Esther Short Park, Vancouver, WA</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<p><strong>Sunday, Oct. 13</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.mobilize.us/no2117/event/713764/"><strong>Yakima Rally and Door Knocking with Governor Inslee</strong></a></li>
<ul>
<li><strong>Date: Sunday, Oct. 13 at </strong>9:30 a.m. PST&nbsp;</li>
<li><strong>Location: </strong>SEIU 1199NW, Yakima, WA</li>
</ul>
<li><a href="https://www.mobilize.us/no2117/event/713760/"><strong>Spokane Rally and Door Knocking with Governor Inslee</strong></a></li>
<ul>
<li><strong>Date: Sunday, Oct. 13 at </strong>3 p.m. PST</li>
<li><strong>Location:</strong> Whistle Punk Brewing - Downtown, Spokane, WA</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</div> | 10/4/2024 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| meet-bob-ferguson-at-physician-community-campaign-fundraiser | WAMPAC Invitation: Meet Bob Ferguson at Physician Community Campaign Fundraiser | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/advocacy-report/2024/october-4/meet-bob-ferguson-at-physician-community-campaign-fundraiser | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/advocacy-report/2024/october/istock-1259154099-stethoscope-ballotbox-blue-background-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="illustration of a ballot box" /></div>
<h5>Oct. 4, 2024</h5>
<!-- **************************NEW ARTICLE****************************** -->
<h2>WAMPAC Invitation: Meet Bob Ferguson at Physician Community Campaign Fundraiser </h2>
<p>Mark your calendar for 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11, for an opportunity to participate in a physician community fundraiser in Seattle for gubernatorial candidate Bob Ferguson. This will be a forum to hear from the candidate on his campaign, his vision for the future of the state, and to ask him questions about health care policy issues.</p>
<p>With our state approaching the installation of a new gubernatorial administration for the first time in 12 years, there will be new ideas brought forward and shifts across state government. It’s important for the WSMA and the physician community to ensure our priority issues are being raised and that we’re building relationships with candidates for office.</p>
<p>This event is being held at the Seattle home of WSMA President John Bramhall, MD, PhD, and is cohosted by Drs. Bridget Bush, Elizabeth Peterson, Katina Rue, and John Scott and WSMA CEO Jennifer Hanscom. Event details are below, and even if you aren’t able to attend, you can support the event by making a contribution <a href="https://secure.actblue.com/donate/24seattle10_11">here</a>.</p>
<h3>Bob Ferguson Campaign Fundraiser</h3>
<p>Friday, Oct. 11 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.</p>
<p>Hosted by John Bramhall, MD, PhD; Bridget Bush, MD; Elizabeth Peterson, MD; Katina Rue, DO; John Scott, MD; and Jennifer Hanscom</p>
<p>At the home of Dr. Bramhall in Seattle</p>
<p>Address provided upon RSVP</p>
<p>RSVP ONLINE <a href="https://secure.actblue.com/donate/24seattle10_11">HERE</a></p>
<p>This event is being organized specifically for the physician community by WAMPAC, the WSMA’s campaign arm, which works to build relationships with elected officials and political candidates. We regularly promote campaign events of particular relevance to the physician community. If you have such events in the future, please contact WAMPAC Director Alex Wehinger at <a href="mailto:alex@wsma.org">alex@wsma.org</a>.</p>
</div> | 10/3/2024 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| ceo-rounds-oct-1-2024-showing-up-for-each-other-and-the-house-of-medicine | CEO Rounds: Oct. 1, 2024 - Showing Up for Each Other and the House of Medicine | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/ceo-rounds/2024/ceo-rounds-oct-1-2024-showing-up-for-each-other-and-the-house-of-medicine | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/ceo-rounds/ceo-rounds-article-graphic-bramhall-2024-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="CEO Rounds logo, with John Bramhall, MD, PhD, WSMA President" /></div>
<h5>Oct. 1, 2024</h5>
<h2>Showing Up for Each Other and the House of Medicine</h2>
<p>
John Bramhall, MD, PhD, WSMA President
</p>
<p>
<em>John Bramhall, MD, PhD, on building community, relationships, and impact in his inaugural address before the WSMA House of Delegates on Sunday, Sept. 29. Read an edited transcription below. For a look at what WSMA's past year looked like, don't miss our <a href="https://vimeo.com/1012940949">Year in Review video</a> (keep an eye out for your colleagues and friends!).</em>
</p>
<p>
Here we are at 8 a.m. on a Sunday morning!
</p>
<p>
Thank you all for being here.
</p>
<p>
I know this is the traditional time for the incoming president's rite of passage, but wouldn't it be easier to face if we did it, say, at 8 p.m. after a cocktail reception?
</p>
<p>
We can only dream!
</p>
<p>
Ah well, thank you again for "showing up."
</p>
<p>
Showing up is so important.
</p>
<p>
The fact that I'm standing here, in front of you this morning, wearing both a gold medal and a tie is surely proof of Woody Allen's adage that 80% of success is just showing up!
</p>
<p>
I truly believe showing up yields three outcomes that matter to us, to the work at hand today, and in the work we do with the WSMA: <strong>community, relationships, and impact</strong>.
</p>
<p>
Let's talk about how showing up builds <strong>community</strong>. Look around-some 200 of you are here and highly engaged- just look at the energy levels in the reference committees yesterday! You are here to actively contribute, inform, and learn from each other, and to, quite literally, plot the future course of the WSMA.
</p>
<p>
Take a moment to look at your neighbor and thank them for showing up!
</p>
<p>
My own involvement with WSMA started with the simple act of showing up. Years ago, as I got settled in my work, a colleague and fellow countryman, Peter Dunbar, introduced me to the WSMA and to the Leadership Development Conference. Peter- and many of you know him directly- was president of the WSMA back then, very energetic, well-informed, and extremely well connected with state political leadership-he actually had quite a bit of influence on some decisions being made by then Gov. Christine Gregoire.
</p>
<p>
Seeing his influence on the house of medicine impressed me and the Leadership Development Conferences inspired me. Because I showed up for those and made my presence felt, in time, I was asked to join the WSMA board, then the EC, and here we are!
</p>
<p>
One of my favorite aspects of showing up is how doing so builds <strong>relationships</strong>. Across my WSMA journey, I've been fortunate to forge a wide range of relationships. I've come to know many physicians from all different walks of the profession. I hope to come to know many more of you during my year as president.
</p>
<p>
For those of you who don't know me yet, I'm a scientist by training and I've spent my entire career as an academic. Sorry! I studied biochemistry in the UK, came to the US as a Fulbright scholar, carried out research and teaching at UCLA and Stanford, got my medical education in La Jolla, and then came to Seattle for residency and stayed.
</p>
<p>
During clinical training, just like many of you, I found the team approach to problems- exemplified by "work rounds" and extensive collaboration was impressively effective. And, as I learned about anesthesia, I was really drawn to the OR environment-it's such a fascinating place. It's complicated. It's complex. A lot of stuff goes down day and night, and that appealed to me, that feeling of being part of a system that was humming.
</p>
<p>
And even though I'm a scientist at heart, I am also drawn to the overarching sense, really, of mystery in my work. We still are very unclear about the biophysical substrate of consciousness, the nature of awareness, so it stands to reason that we are even less clear about the exact mechanisms of chemical hypnosis. Anesthesia is a great example of safe, effective manipulation of processes that are incompletely understood. There is mystery, and that keeps me humble. This humility is not always an easy concept for physicians to introduce to patients.
</p>
<p>
I spent the past 30 years working primarily at Harborview where I was a medical director, an attending physician, and professor. It's been a privilege, in every way, to do this work. I stepped back from administrative work last month to allow time to serve as WSMA president but will maintain my toehold in clinical teaching and academics with the university.
</p>
<p>
I'm sure most of you have your own stories of how you came to be physicians, how you came to be here today; I'll look forward to finding out about some of these stories throughout the year.
</p>
<p>
Now let's consider how showing up creates <strong>impact</strong>.
</p>
<p>
Anyone wandering in and out of the reference committees yesterday would see the energy and focus of the WSMA being applied to a range of issues facing us: public health structure, AED distribution, access metrics, nano-plastic pollution, diaper access, air purification, firearm education- it's a really long list of issues that reflects our interconnectedness with, and concerns for, the well-being of Washingtonians.
</p>
<p>
Indeed, Washington state is a great place to live and it's also a pretty good place to be sick! We have first-rate emergency, medical, and surgical care provided by well-integrated teams. There's a long list of conditions where Washington leads the nation in quality of care and where physician practice is supported and sustained by state-of-the-art systems, and we attract smart doctors to the state.
</p>
<p>
But this is only part of the big picture. People can only benefit from our clinical excellence if they have access to it! There is a lot going on with our patients- nutrition, housing, gun violence, drug use, transmissible disease, mental health, relative poverty- a long list of problems that persist and are associated with poor health outcomes.
</p>
<p>
You've seen the distribution maps showing (to me, astonishing) the variation- to take one clear-cut example- in life expectancy between, and even within, various counties of our state. These local variations are also set in the context of an average US life expectancy that is already so much shorter than in other comparable advanced societies. Life expectancy is a complicated metric but it's a pretty objective, actuarial measure with robust data collection. Wherever you see this type of variation-for example in maternal mortality, or HIV infection rates-it's a sign that there are underlying local causes, causes that our members then want to identify and address, with a clear supportive role for the association in integrating, coordinating, and communicating.
</p>
<p>
Medicaid is relied upon by close to 2 million of our most vulnerable neighbors. We know access to care for patients on Medicaid is becoming more fragmented and we know the issues around that are more than complicated.
</p>
<p>
But decades of research and dozens of reports repeatedly show that evenly distributed, high-quality primary care for everyone improves health outcomes and life expectancy through more effective diagnosis, monitoring, management and coordinated prevention and treatment of conditions, reducing the need for more dangerous and costly care later on, particularly for vulnerable patients.
</p>
<p>
This is why our Medicaid Access Program is so vital. Your legislative team in Olympia is all over this now and will be all over it, redoubled, when the legislative session begins in January- notably, with newly restructured health care committees and many new state legislators. We will need all hands on deck to support our program and that includes all of you, along with all of our county and specialty societies. We will be looking for vocal support that calls out the Medicaid issue at every opportunity and at every legislator meeting. It's a state-level problem that will require an unrelenting state-level legislative effort.
</p>
<p>
In contrast, the problem with Medicare compensation is a national one. The Medicare physician fee schedule has a limited budget that does not include inflationary updates- the only Medicare fee schedule that does not receive them. MIPS, heavily dictated by Congress, is burdensome and resource intensive, leading to practices- especially smaller ones- being disproportionately penalized.
</p>
<p>
I don't think of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as an enemy. Medicare has a limited budget and must perform its mandated work within that budget and that budget structure is heavily controlled by Congress. Internal Medicare decisions are guided by smart epidemiologists, and the agency tries hard to optimize overall public health by directing funding to areas where it will prove most helpful. The CMS is also evidence-driven and rarely chooses expensive options without supporting evidence. There is a thread of utilitarian ethics that runs through these big decisions- the most good for the most people- that makes it tough for "special case" thinking.
</p>
<p>
Even so, the cuts to physician compensation, together with lack of inflation adjustments over the years are so clearly egregious, so impossible to justify, that we must seek action. The WSMA is coordinating outreach to the congressional delegation and our two senators on legislation that has been introduced, and there does seem to be a consensus that this is a problem that must be fixed.
</p>
<p>
What about the bane of our existence: prior authorization? This is a perennial WSMA issue- as evidenced by several resolutions that are under consideration at this year's House of Delegates - and we have made solid strides in reducing administrative burden for us all. That movement continues with proposed prior authorization process integration with EMRs, for example. Also, we have sympathy from local legislators as well as a national push again at the AMA level. We are striving to make practical headway and will align with others working to do the same, such as the hospital association, whose initiative analyzing denial rates from billing data aligns well with our concerns.
</p>
<p>
We will continue to focus on resisting scope expansion efforts-another constant, every year, all year, analyzing the many scope proposals and fighting those that jeopardize patient safety, as well as pushing back on disinformation and title misappropriation campaigns. We're the bear and we're always getting poked! The WSMA will continue to prioritize policy decisions that promote accurate diagnosis with safe and effective care for patients by ensuring that care is provided by people who have undergone appropriate training. It's just one more example of how the WSMA advances the cause of quality care for all Washingtonians.
</p>
<p>
On all of these issues, and more, we are asking you to show up.
</p>
<p>
Here's why all this really does matter.
</p>
<p>
I don't have to tell you that we have faced growing reputational challenges caused by partisan battles over the COVID-19 pandemic, science- and evidence-based care, and the prevalence of mis- and disinformation. All coupled with a more generalized societal distrust of "authority" and even scientific method. "Alternative facts!"
</p>
<p>
These challenges pose the risk of distracting us from what matters most: the care we provide to patients. Unfortunately, decisions made by others dramatically limit the time we can spend with our patients.
</p>
<p>
We know that time spent listening to, responding to, and treating patients is essential to providing the quality care patients deserve. We need time to build trust and provide the most effective care and treatment, and we'll continue to push back against time-based, RVU-based metrics imposed on us for evaluation of patient care.
</p>
<p>
In the year ahead, your WSMA is undertaking a campaign within which everything I've talked about will intersect. You see the campaign around you here today: Your Care Is at Our Core. We are undertaking this campaign to publicize how our members, you all, work with patients to make the best health care decisions and that <strong>their care is at our core</strong>.
</p>
<p>
We are strong when we stand together, and we are counting on you.
</p>
<p>
Thank you for the trust you've shown in me, thank you to Dr. Rue and Dr. Heshmati for leading the way to this day, and thank you all for showing up.
</p>
</div> | 10/1/2024 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| seattle-anesthesiologist-inaugurated-as-2024-2025-president-of-washington-state-medical-asso | Seattle Anesthesiologist Inaugurated as 2024-2025 President of WSMA | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2024/seattle-anesthesiologist-inaugurated-as-2024-2025-president-of-washington-state-medical-asso | <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. 30, 2024 </h5>
<h2>Seattle Anesthesiologist Inaugurated as 2024-2025 President of Washington State Medical Association </h2>
<p>
Seattle anesthesiologist John Bramhall, MD, PhD, was inaugurated as president of the Washington State Medical Association at its annual House of Delegates meeting on Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Historic Davenport in Spokane. The WSMA represents nearly 13,000 physicians, resident physicians, physician assistants, and medical students throughout Washington state.
</p>
<p>
After 30 years working at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Dr. Bramhall recently stepped away from his position as associate medical director at the level-one trauma center to serve as WSMA president. He maintains an academic position at the University of Washington School of Medicine, also in Seattle, as a clinical professor emeritus in the department of anesthesiology.
</p>
<p>
Dr. Bramhall received a diploma from John Dalton College, in Manchester, U.K. in 1971, followed by a PhD in biochemistry at Aston University in Birmingham in 1976. A Fulbright Scholarship brought him to the United States, where he studied immunology-oriented sciences first at the Molecular Biology Institute of the University of California, Los Angeles, then as a research fellow at the Neurobiology Institute at Stanford University Medical Center in Palo Alto, California. A passion for immunology and its impact on disease states led him to medical school at the University of California San Diego, where he graduated in 1991, after developing a fascination for the study of anesthesia, including scholarly interest in the many interventions common to anesthesiology practice.
</p>
<p>
Pivoting from academic to practical medicine, Dr. Bramhall chose an anesthesia residency at Virginia Mason in Seattle and then stayed in Seattle for his subsequent career as a clinician, professor, and medical director with UW Medicine at Harborview. Though he recently stepped back from his administrative positions at Harborview, he maintains an ad hoc practice in the ORs of the trauma center as needed and continues with his academic appointments at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
</p>
<p>
Dr. Bramhall brings more than 30 years of experience to his tenure as the medical association president, including a wide variety of front-line clinical roles and extensive administrative responsibilities within a large medical system, as well as 25 years of experience in academic medicine. He is past president of the Washington State Society of Anesthesiologists, past delegate to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, past member of UW Academic Senate and multiple UW/Harborview committees, and a current member of Washington State Hospital Association board of directors, among other roles.
</p>
<p>
The following physicians were also elected as officers at the meeting: Bridget Bush, MD, FASA, Anacortes anesthesiologist, president-elect; Matt Hollon, MD, MPH, MACP, Spokane internist, vice president; and Bindu Nayak, MD, Wenatchee endocrinologist, secretary-treasurer. The fifth officer of WSMA's executive committee is Past President Nariman Heshmati, MD, MBA, FACOG, Mukilteo OB-GYN, who will serve as committee chair.
</p>
<p>
In addition to several WSMA members who were re-elected to the board of trustees, newly elected to the board for two-year terms were Avanti Bergquist, MD, Bellevue psychiatrist; Stephanie Hansen, DO, Toppenish internist; Trace Julsen, MD, Spokane family physician; Vivienne Meljen, MD, Vancouver OB-GYN; and Alan Melnick, MD, Vancouver preventive medicine physician. Dr. Meljen was also elected to serve as an American Medical Association alternate delegate for a two-year term. Anukrati Shukla, MD, Monroe internist, was elected to serve as young physician trustee and Jacob Leary, MD, Seattle internist, was elected to serve as resident trustee, both for one-year terms.
</p>
<p>
Visit the WSMA website for a <a href="[@]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>
Download a high-resolution portrait of <a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/News and Publications/Press Room/bramhall-john-md-1731-12x8.jpg]">WSMA President John Bramhall, MD, PhD</a>.
</p>
<p>
For more information contact:
</p>
<p>
Graham Short<br />
WSMA Director of Communications<br />
<a href="mailto:gfs@wsma.org">gfs@wsma.org</a> / 206.329.6851 cell/text
</p>
<h3>About the Washington State Medical Association </h3>
<p>
The Washington State Medical Association represents nearly 13,000 physicians, resident physicians, physician assistants, 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> | 9/30/2024 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| wsma-names-senator-annette-cleveland-2024-legislator-of-the-year- | WSMA Names Senator Annette Cleveland 2024 Legislator of the Year | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2024/wsma-names-senator-annette-cleveland-2024-legislator-of-the-year- | <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. 30, 2024 </h5>
<h2>Washington State Medical Association Names Senator Annette Cleveland 2024 Legislator of the Year </h2>
<p>
<em>State senator representing Washington's 48th Legislative District honored for her partnership with the physician community.</em>
</p>
<p>
Sen. Annette Cleveland, D-Vancouver, was named 2024 Legislator of the Year by the Washington State Medical Association during the 2024 Annual Meeting of the WSMA House of Delegates at the Historic Davenport in Spokane on Saturday, Sept. 28.
</p>
<p>
Each year, the WSMA, representing physicians, resident physicians, physician assistants, and medical students statewide, honors a legislator whose partnership and influence help to make Washington one of the best states in the nation to practice medicine and receive care.
</p>
<p>
The centenarian association honored Sen. Cleveland for her leadership as chair of the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee and her dedication to ensuring meaningful health care policy for our state's patients and physicians.
</p>
<ul>
<li>She is the prime champion in the Senate of WSMA priority legislation to establish confidentiality protections for physician wellness programs, which aim to increase participation in these programs to help mitigate career fatigue and improve overall well-being and job satisfaction among physicians. The WSMA looks forward to continuing its partnership with Sen. Cleveland on the bill during the 2025 legislative session.</li>
<li>Sen. Cleveland is a staunch advocate of promoting access to vaccines, sponsoring Senate Bill 5982 this past legislative session to update the definition of vaccine in state statute to allow for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine and other immunizations to be included in the Washington Childhood Vaccine Program. In 2019, she worked to remove the personal or philosophical exemption for the MMR vaccine for school-aged children (Senate Bill 5841).</li>
<li>Sen. Cleveland knows the importance of ensuring access to care, including abortion services. In 2023, she sponsored legislation to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for patients receiving abortion care (Senate Bill 5242).</li>
<li>The WSMA helped establish the state's Maternal Mortality Review Panel to review maternal deaths in the state and make recommendations to prevent future maternal deaths. In 2019, Sen. Cleveland sponsored legislation to make the panel permanent (Senate Bill 5425).</li>
</ul>
<p>
"Sen. Cleveland has been a consistent partner to the physician community whose door has remained open to us throughout the year," said John Bramhall, MD, PhD, WSMA president. "With more than seven sessions as chair of the top Senate health committee, she is a leader in health policy in our state and is more than deserving of WSMA's top honor for our legislative partners. We are grateful for her being a champion of medicine and are proud to name her our 2024 Legislator of the Year."
</p>
<p>
"It's an honor to receive this recognition of the hard work, trust, and partnership that contributes to protecting the health care of Washingtonians, and the work of physicians across the state," said Cleveland. "By focusing on shared goals and values, we are making progress in attracting and keeping a strong health care workforce, protecting reproductive rights and privacy, and expanding access to quality care statewide. I look forward to our work together in the coming years."
</p>
<p>
A high-resolution portrait of Sen. Cleveland is available from her <a href="https://senatedemocrats.wa.gov/cleveland/">website</a>.
</p>
<p>
For more information contact:
</p>
<p>
Graham Short<br />
WSMA Director of Communications<br />
<a href="mailto:gfs@wsma.org">gfs@wsma.org</a> / 206.329.6851 cell/text
</p>
<h4>About the Washington State Medical Association </h4>
<p>
The Washington State Medical Association represents nearly 13,000 physicians, resident physicians, physician assistants, 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> | 9/30/2024 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| doctors-making-a-difference-carrie-horwitch-md | Doctors Making a Difference: Carrie Horwitch, MD | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Latest_News/2024/doctors-making-a-difference-carrie-horwitch-md | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/Reports/2024/september-october/dmd-website-image-horwitch-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="Doctors Making a Difference: Carrie Horwitch, MD, MPH" /></div>
<h5>Sept. 24, 20224</h5>
<h2>Doctors Making a Difference: Carrie Horwitch, MD</h2>
<p>
For Carrie Horwitch, MD, MPH, her work across a 30-year career in medicine to improve both patient health and the well-being of physicians and practitioners takes many forms: As an internal medicine physician specializing in transgender health and HIV care; as a Certified Laughter Leader using laughter techniques to improve health through her business Laugh Doctor LLC; and as a volunteer for the MAVEN Project, which connects physicians and clinicians at safety-net clinics with expert physician volunteers for medical advice, mentorship, and education. She talked with <em>WSMA Reports</em> about her volunteer work at the MAVEN Project and how the extra support for primary care physicians and practitioners can help reduce burnout and improve care for patients in underserved communities.
</p>
<p>
<strong><em>WSMA Reports:</em> How long have you been volunteering with the MAVEN Project, and can you tell readers about what your work entails?</strong>
</p>
<p>
<em>Dr. Horwitch:</em> I started volunteering with MAVEN Project in June 2022. The MAVEN Project supports safety-net clinics and their patients by connecting their physicians and practitioners with specialists in medicine, including adult and pediatric specialties. Most of this work is done virtually on their HIPAA- compliant telehealth platform. They have several areas of support for the clinics and practitioners including email and video consults, 1:1 clinical mentoring and leadership coaching, and free CME through lectures given by MAVEN Project volunteers. There are currently 63 sites across Washington state partnering with the MAVEN Project.
</p>
<p>
<strong>What was it about the project's model that drew you to it as an avenue for volunteering?</strong>
</p>
<p>
Some of the main attractions for me to work with the MAVEN Project were the diversity of volunteer opportunities, including consulting, mentoring, and giving didactic presentations. I also loved the idea that I was helping clinicians in resource-limited areas and clinics to serve their patients better. I have always been a believer that when doing volunteer work, I would like it to be a sustainable model. I feel the MAVEN Project is able to accomplish this as we focus on building knowledge and skills of the clinicians in these community clinics.
</p>
<p>
<strong>What are some of the most significant challenges that the primary care physicians you consult with face in their practices, and how does access to MAVEN's volunteer physicians help them to provide better patient care?</strong>
</p>
<p>
There are several challenges these clinicians and clinics encounter on a daily basis. One is there are not enough practitioners in primary care, especially in under-resourced safety-net clinics. Another is that many of the patients have complex conditions and do not have access in their communities to specialty care (including general internal medicine and pediatrics). The MAVEN Project provides specialty expertise to the clinicians on specific cases or a general approach to different conditions patients may have (such as HIV or diabetes). Offering continuing education and support for the clinicians positively impacts the care their patients receive.
</p>
<p>
In addition, some of the mentoring can focus on the well-being of the clinician, an important component of reducing burnout. It can also help develop an approach to quality improvement projects for their clinics.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Has your volunteer experience changed the way you provide care to your own patients?</strong>
</p>
<p>
The volunteer experience reminds me that there are a large number of people in our country facing many barriers to accessing primary and comprehensive care. Working with mentees on the challenges they face with their patients and the resource limitations helps me to consider my patients' struggles. It also energizes me to continue advocacy work to better our health care system for patients and caregivers.
</p>
<p>
<strong>What has been the most fulfilling aspect of your work with the MAVEN Project? </strong>
</p>
<p>
As a "later" career physician, I am so grateful that I am volunteering with MAVEN Project. It allows me to continue to give back to diverse communities using my knowledge and skills from over 30 years as an internal medicine physician. Working with my mentees and seeing their growth and confidence build over time is very rewarding.
</p>
<p>
If you want to refer a community health center partner or inquire about select volunteer opportunities go to <a href="https://mavenproject.org">mavenproject.org</a>.
</p>
<p>
<em>This article was featured in the September/October 2024 issue of WSMA Reports, WSMA's print magazine.</em>
</p>
</div> | 9/24/2024 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| medical-commission-policy-clarifies-application-of-optometrist-scope-expansion | Medical Commission Policy Clarifies Application of Optometrist Scope Expansion | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/advocacy-report/2024/september-20/medical-commission-policy-clarifies-application-of-optometrist-scope-expansion | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/advocacy-report/2024/september/Eye-Exam-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="eye exam" /></div>
<h5>Sep. 20, 2024</h5>
<!-- **************************NEW ARTICLE****************************** -->
<h2>Medical Commission Policy Clarifies Application of Optometrist Scope Expansion</h2>
<p>In the 2023 legislative session, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5389&amp;Year=2023&amp;Initiative=false">a bill</a> was passed into law expanding scope of practice for optometrists. The WSMA partnered with the Washington Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons and the physician community to oppose the bill, and while we objected to the bill in its final form, we were successful in making several amendments to the law that addressed some concerns.</p>
<p>One of those changes was requiring that for optometrists to be eligible to perform the enhanced procedures under the law, they must be issued a license endorsement that requires (among other provisions) working in partnership with a "qualified physician." The Washington Medical Commission recently released a draft interpretive statement (available beginning at page 19 <a href="https://wmc.wa.gov/sites/default/files/WMC%209.5.2024%20PIP%20Pkt%201st%20Rev.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">here</a>) defining what constitutes a qualified physician to mean one who: </p>
<ol>
<li>Holds a current license to practice as a physician and surgeon with the WMC;</li>
<li>Is not currently under any disciplinary action by the WMC, including a stipulation to informal discipline;</li>
<li>Holds a current certification from the American Board of Ophthalmology; and</li>
<li>Has a surgical suite on site or holds privileges at a local hospital.</li>
</ol>
<p>This policy aligns with WSMA advocacy in the interest of promoting patient safety, and we are supportive of the WMC interpretive statement, which is expected to be finalized later this fall. You can share your thoughts on the draft statement at <a href="mailto:medical.policy@wmc.wa.gov">medical.policy@wmc.wa.gov</a>.</p>
</div> | 9/20/2024 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| united-launches-prior-authorization-gold-card-program | United Launches Prior Authorization Gold Card Program | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/advocacy-report/2024/september-20/united-launches-prior-authorization-gold-card-program | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/advocacy-report/2024/september/Administrative-Burden-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="administrative burden illustration" /></div>
<h5>Sep. 20, 2024</h5>
<!-- **************************NEW ARTICLE****************************** -->
<h2>United Launches Prior Authorization Gold Card Program </h2>
<p>UnitedHealthcare <a href="https://www.uhcprovider.com/content/dam/provider/docs/public/policies/protocols/UHC-Gold-Card-Program-Protocol.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">recently released information</a> about a new nationwide gold card program, recognizing "qualified practices that have consistently demonstrated adherence to evidence-based guidelines" for prior authorization. The program, which goes into effect on Oct. 1, applies to specified procedures and allows practices to utilize an advance notification for relevant services, rather than traditional prior authorization processes.</p>
<p>The gold card program applies at a practice level (based on a group's tax ID number) and is open to in-network practices that meet certain criteria, including a prior authorization approval rate of 92% or higher for two consecutive years for relevant codes where there were at least 10 eligible prior authorizations during that time. A full list of codes included in the program is available <a href="https://www.uhcprovider.com/content/dam/provider/docs/public/prior-auth/gold/UHC-Gold-Card-CPT-List.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">here</a>. Eligible practices will be automatically enrolled and those who are not included can utilize a review process to verify their status. </p>
<p>United's move is the latest in a <a href="https://www.modernhealthcare.com/insurance/prior-authorization-cigna-unitedhealth-blue-cross-bcbs">series of announcements</a> from some insurance carriers to pull back on prior authorization, with Cigna, Aetna, and United recently announcing discontinuation of prior authorization for certain codes. The moves coincide with increased scrutiny from state and federal lawmakers on prior authorization, with the WSMA successfully advocating for state-level prior authorization <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1357&amp;Year=2023&amp;Initiative=false">legislation</a> in 2023 to make prior authorization processes more efficient, dovetailing with a recent <a href="https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/cms-interoperability-and-prior-authorization-final-rule-cms-0057-f">CMS rulemaking</a> at the federal level. Still we know that the administrative burden associated with prior authorization remains a top frustration of our members, and we will continue to advocate for policy changes to reduce hurdles to physicians practicing medicine and patients accessing care.</p>
</div> | 9/20/2024 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| men-we-need-you-to-go-to-the-doctor-and-to-become-doctors | Men: We Need You to Go to the Doctor, and to Become Doctors | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Latest_News/2024/men-we-need-you-to-go-to-the-doctor-and-to-become-doctors | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/Reports/2024/september-october/heartbeat-website-image-low-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="Heartbeat: Daniel Low MD graphic" /></div>
<h5>
Sept. 19, 2024
</h5>
<h2>
Men: We Need You to Go to the Doctor, and to Become Doctors
</h2>
<p>
By Daniel Low, MD
</p>
<p>
When June ended, so did Men's Health month. The rare June article highlighting men's health typically focused on prostate cancer or heart disease. These are serious issues jeopardizing men's health, but as a physician whose panel is predominantly made of boys and men, what worries me most about men's health is the generalized male withdrawal from the health sector. Lonely, apathetic, or disinterested men are not seeking care. Men are half as<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fintegrishealth.org%2Fresources%2Fon-your-health%2F2019%2Fjune%2Fwhy-dont-men-see-doctors%23%3A~%3Atext%3DThe%2520CDC%2520reports%2520that%2520women%2Cmaintaining%2520screening%2520and%2520preventive%2520care.&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369047634%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=2w9ApQvyMYXhgyE6l5pjcy1fjdp4I%2FdMp6vkMs2PBVM%3D&amp;reserved=0"> likely as women to maintain routine health screenings, and 33% less likely</a> to visit the doctor at all.
</p>
<p>
And it's not just disengaging from health care; men are also disengaging from social life. <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.latimes.com%2Flifestyle%2Fnewsletter%2F2023-10-10%2Fmore-than-1-in-7-men-have-no-close-friends-the-way-we-socialize-boys-is-to-blame-group-therapy&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369055278%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=qGZQA1pNmf%2BYr%2FxcqhM9r8GvRRlb0aXygkXVuSG4fNs%3D&amp;reserved=0">Fifteen percent of men now report having no close friends,</a> which is <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnap.nationalacademies.org%2Fcatalog%2F25663%2Fsocial-isolation-and-loneliness-in-older-adults-opportunities-for-the&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369062482%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=X2UvguHfp0zvujjaG%2Fo1mlAxwUPVUjap0vIKIvgCDpY%3D&amp;reserved=0">worse for one's health than smoking</a>. Men are similarly disengaging from school. In 1972, when Title IX passed, men were graduating from college 13% more often than women; today, women graduate from college <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2023%2F03%2F10%2Fpodcasts%2Fezra-klein-podcast-transcript-richard-reeves.html&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369069682%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=bV8ZQJ%2BDVZ%2BSMpNwCHKKjpjYj1iW0iQc7FpEQp%2BNpDA%3D&amp;reserved=0"> 15% more often than men</a>. Similar graduation rate disparities pervade <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flearningenglish.voanews.com%2Fa%2Fus-boys-graduate-high-school-at-lower-rates-than-girls%2F7346617.html&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369076762%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=wG2%2B2KnPulW2uACwH3ENlaRj7zvFaU9IyE1LDMDqXR0%3D&amp;reserved=0">high school, too</a>.
</p>
<p>
While social and educational engagement may seem unrelated to health, research repeatedly demonstrates their association with wellness. When boys and men aren't with friends and aren't in school, they disproportionately face worse health outcomes, including <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwaboysandmen.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F06%2FWhy-Washington-Needs-a-Commission-on-Boys-and-Men_2024_06_16.pdf&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369083829%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=GjJxzSyI77SwsoBo5TOMWXmsP2N9XWCl3mMrXdiAr98%3D&amp;reserved=0">increased rates of homelessness, drug addiction, incarceration, and death</a>.
</p>
<p>
I feel awkward writing about this. Focusing on men's struggles in the context of gender equality feels misplaced, a narrative violation, particularly given men have always occupied the dominant space in society. It's especially grating knowing that <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fpmc%2Farticles%2FPMC9811825%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369090990%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=kcoQknTWkL3y32UMeoZQD209u%2FCJXyRvl2Jk%2FSmRPxY%3D&amp;reserved=0">women's health research has been consistently underfunded</a>, <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pewresearch.org%2Ffact-tank%2F2023%2F03%2F01%2Fgender-pay-gap-facts%2F%23%3A~%3Atext%3DThe%2520gender%2520gap%2520in%2520pay%2C-%2520and%2520part-time%2520workers.&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369097960%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=yYixIx9iXD4iU3HXF4fJfN%2BrAt7yyVldJH%2Fn%2FOABhKs%3D&amp;reserved=0">gender pay gaps persist, </a> and women and gender-diverse people are frequently and <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.weforum.org%2Freports%2Fglobal-gender-gap-report-2022%2Fin-full%2F2-4-gender-gaps-in-leadership-by-industry-and-cohort%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369105205%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=43ZLwZ86G5MaW9EC%2BJc0I622DnsiKwJH8JIQN0B5fEM%3D&amp;reserved=0">unfairly overlooked for executive-level positions</a>, particularly within medicine.
</p>
<p>
It's why when I originally drafted this piece two years ago, I decided against publication; in highlighting the challenges of the privileged, I felt I'd also be unintentionally directing attention away from more marginalized groups. But I believe we can hold two truths at once. We can champion equality for women and gender-diverse people, <em>and</em> recognize that men are struggling.
</p>
<p>
Men's structural power is not translating into health advantages. In fact, men are dying, on average, five years earlier than women, while simultaneously <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.populationmedicine.eu%2FGender-differences-in-global-Disability-Adjusted-Life-Years-DALYs-a-descriptive-Analysis%2C163644%2C0%2C2.html&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369112343%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=EGWoN7zl8ovH1nEBlBNpNllfog7yoLzQzvDIZE2TC8w%3D&amp;reserved=0">suffering from significantly worse mental, neurological, and musculoskeletal disorders</a>.
</p>
<p>
Despite many theories, it's ultimately unclear why this is happening, which is why we should support the growing coalition pushing Washington to create a <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwaboysandmen.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369121696%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=6iRf5vQbH5K9zaClEgcMucWkJqOgOdL2M7PMcwWvLKA%3D&amp;reserved=0">commission on men and boys</a>; we need to study the root causes of this public health crisis.
</p>
<p>
We also need representation. When young boys are most impressionable, they rarely see themselves in their doctors, <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffamilymedicine.uw.edu%2Fchws%2Fpublications%2Fwashington-states-physician-workforce-in-2021%2F%23%3A~%3Atext%3DWomen%2520comprised%252041%2525%2520of%2520the%2Cphysicians%2520age%252055%2520or%2520older.&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369129176%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=G7W%2B9KRRfwatsV6q%2BUE0qxOTWHWBxkgTJtMsPKoWaqU%3D&amp;reserved=0">as less than one-third of pediatricians in Washington are men</a>. For those with mental illness seeking care with a therapist or social worker, it is <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zippia.com%2Ftherapist-jobs%2Fdemographics%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369136749%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=TnntGPL8MqDiGSpt4UekamJREwgssutscnGcjyaiK88%3D&amp;reserved=0">even less likely to find a male practitioner</a> in Washington, which is particularly worrisome given the increasing rates of anxiety and depression in boys and men. To be clear, evidence shows <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Froberthart%2F2024%2F04%2F22%2Fpatients-fare-better-with-women-doctors-study-finds%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369143733%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=n2tEObA46oY8TI4xdIFUfzB9zShMKwOKXU5QCPkRvt4%3D&amp;reserved=0">female physicians offer equal or better care</a> than male physicians. But if boys and men don't engage in care, the quality of care offered becomes a moot point.
</p>
<p>
And without intentional efforts, change will not arrive soon. Male medical student matriculants have decreased for eight consecutive years. The view is similar further up the pipeline. I lead a <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthpointchc.org%2Fjoin-our-team%2Fstudent-training-programs%2Fhealthpoint-health-scholars&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coped%40seattletimes.com%7C96e8e2080d1b41a24ef708dc9ae961fb%7Cfc2b8476b7f0473d82fbe0a89fd99855%7C0%7C1%7C638555574369150828%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=zT2hLczw6TPiEP1WvTQ%2BhkK1tItv4b1srnX9mQfOiKk%3D&amp;reserved=0">mentorship program</a> for racially and economically underrepresented high school students interested in careers in health care, and since our program's inception in 2021, we've only had one young man graduate.
</p>
<p>
We need proactive, targeted recruitment of men for patient-centered, healing professions like pediatrics, nursing, psychology, and social work. This requires incentivizing professionals to mentor; institutions should include mentoring activities as criteria for promotions.
</p>
<p>
Simultaneously, we need to cultivate a new masculinity in our young men that embraces the tenderness and sociability of excellent caregivers. We want our sons, brothers, and fathers to be compassionate, active listeners who practice grace. Let's start by modeling this behavior and acknowledging the real struggles boys and men are experiencing.
</p>
<p>
<em>Daniel Low, MD, </em><em>is a family medicine physician in Renton.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p>
<em>This article was featured in the September/October 2024 issue of WSMA Reports, WSMA's print magazine.</em>
</p>
</div> | 9/19/2024 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| 7-actions-to-take-ahead-of-npsaday | 7 Actions to Take Ahead of #NPSADay | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2024/september-13/7-actions-to-take-ahead-of-npsaday | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2024/september/pf24-npsaday-general-1-li-fb-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="NPSADay graphic" /></div>
<h5>Sept. 13, 2024</h5>
<h2>7 Actions to Take Ahead of #NPSADay</h2>
<p>Sept. 17 is National Physician Suicide Awareness Day. #NPSADay, part of Suicide Prevention Month, is a reminder and a call to action to make time to talk - and to act - so physicians' struggles don't become mental health emergencies. The WSMA is proud to take action to prevent physician suicide by sharing resources to help improve physician well-being, including suicide prevention resources, tips for starting important conversations about mental health, a crisis management plan, and more. This Tuesday, Sept. 17, help us recognize #NPSADay by visiting <a href="https://npsaday.org/">NPSADay.org</a> and learn how you can take action.</p>
<p>We must shift the current practice landscape to better support a culture of well-being and come together to take the necessary actions to reduce burnout, safeguard job satisfaction, remove barriers to seeking mental health services, and destigmatize seeking these services.</p>
<p>There are seven actions to help reduce physician burnout and ensure physicians' struggles don't become mental health emergencies:</p>
<ul>
<li>Learn the Vital Signs.</li>
<li>Encourage mental health reflection.</li>
<li>Share suicide prevention resources.</li>
<li>Prepare before a moment of crisis.</li>
<li>Check in with a physician.</li>
<li>Remove intrusive mental health questions.</li>
<li>Create a culture of well-being.</li>
</ul>
<p>Take action today. Everyone has a role in reducing physician suicide, and you can learn about yours at <a href="https://npsaday.org/">NPSADay.org</a>.</p>
</div> | 9/13/2024 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| become-an-effective-board-member-with-wsma-effective-board-governance-course | Become an Effective Board Member with WSMA Effective Board Governance Course | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2024/september-13/become-an-effective-board-member-with-wsma-effective-board-governance-course | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>Sept. 13, 2024</h5>
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<h2>Become an Effective Board Member with WSMA Effective Board Governance Course</h2>
<p>
<em>One-day virtual seminar, Nov. 15, 2024</em>
</p>
<p>The WSMA Effective Board Governance Course, led by Ed Walker, MD, is a full-day seminar providing in-depth education about governance: what it is, what boards do, why they exist, and how you can be an effective participant. This course is open to alumni and non-alumni of WSMA's leadership courses who are in a physician leadership role in their organization.</p>
<p>Now more than ever, physicians are being asked to serve on the board of their clinic, medical group, or integrated system. But to be an effective board member it is important to understand the difference between a constituency-based board and a representative board, what's expected of you in terms of fiduciary responsibility, who you are expected to represent, and how to be effective in communicating as a board member. Equipped with this knowledge, physicians can be even stronger leaders and bring a powerful voice and perspective to any board.</p>
<p><a href="[@]wsma/education/physician_leadership/effective_board_governance/wsma/physician_leadership/effective_board_governance/effective_board_governance.aspx?hkey=75c1d687-1473-49fa-bd43-4c1099f60072">Register for the course online</a>. The registration deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 15. This activity has been approved for <em>AMA PRA Category 1 Creditâ„¢.</em></p>
</div> | 9/13/2024 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| new-cme-program-transcending-clinical-excellence-mastering-emotional-intelligence | New CME Program: Transcending Clinical Excellence: Mastering Emotional Intelligence | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2024/september-13/new-cme-program-transcending-clinical-excellence-mastering-emotional-intelligence | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>Sept. 13, 2024</h5>
<h2>New CME Program: Transcending Clinical Excellence: Mastering Emotional Intelligence</h2>
<p>Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and interpersonal growth with a new CME course from the WSMA Foundation, Transcending Clinical Excellence: Mastering Emotional Intelligence. Whether you're seeking to enhance your leadership abilities, strengthen your clinical relationships, or simply enrich your personal life, this course offers a comprehensive toolkit for unlocking the power of emotional intelligence and fostering stronger connections with those around you.</p>
<h3>The course in brief</h3>
<p>Through interactive sessions and practical exercises, you'll cultivate the skills essential for fostering meaningful connections and resolving conflicts in the workplace empathetically. This course is longitudinal (your progress will be measured over time), and multimodal (the course features different methods of learning), giving learners multiple touchpoints on different aspects of emotional intelligence and allowing for deep understanding and opportunities to apply skills in practice.</p>
<h3>Who this course is for</h3>
<p>This course is available to WSMA member and nonmember physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and all other clinicians looking to increase their emotional intelligence (with a discount available for members). Whether you are already a leader or considering a leadership role, you can benefit from this course.</p>
<h3>Course details</h3>
<p>Beginning Friday, Jan. 31, sessions will be held virtually every Friday from noon-2 p.m. through March 21 (skipping Feb. 21 for midwinter break), with a final in-person session at the WSMA Seattle office on March 28.</p>
<h3>Instructors</h3>
<p>This course is led by Nina Willow, MD, and Amy Mohelnitzky, PA-C. Dr. Willow is a family physician who coaches health care professionals at all levels on enhancing patient satisfaction, clinical efficiency, and physician well-being. PA Mohelnitzky leads the Clinician-Patient Communication Program at Kaiser Permanente Washington.</p>
<p><a href="[@]wsma/foundation/physician-wellness/mastering-emotional-intelligence/wsma/foundation/physician-wellness/transcending-clinical-excellence-mastering-emotional-intelligence.aspx?hkey=d9d3ac56-9fc3-44da-93ed-8d253a568a35&amp;_zs=lfaFd1&amp;_zl=F1cn9">Register for the course online</a>. This activity has been approved for <em>AMA PRA Category 1 Credit</em><sup>TM</sup>.</p>
</div> | 9/13/2024 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| new-member-benefit-custom-contract-review-with-resolve | New Member Benefit: Custom Contract Review with Resolve | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2024/september-13/new-member-benefit-custom-contract-review-with-resolve | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>Sept. 13, 2024</h5>
<h2>New Member Benefit: Custom Contract Review with Resolve</h2>
<p>In a recent WSMA member survey, when asked what tangible actions the WSMA could take to better support employed physicians, a majority of respondents (62%) noted they would appreciate help with reviewing physician employment contracts. Help is now available through a new collaboration with a physician-focused contract review organization called <a href="https://go.resolve.com/wsma?utm_campaign=Washington%20State%20Medical%20Association&amp;utm_source=website&amp;utm_medium=partner-page">Resolve</a>.</p>
<p>Resolve's team of experts are now ready to assist WSMA members with their employment contract reviews. Whether you are signing your first employment contract or renegotiating a current one, their team ensures your terms are fair. And as a WSMA member, you receive a 10% discount on Resolve's services.</p>
<h3>How Resolve works for you</h3>
<p>By engaging with Resolve, you'll be connected with a specialized attorney who will take your priorities into account, review your contract in full, make suggestions, and even negotiate on your behalf. Detailed compensation data unique to your specialty and location is also provided, so you always know what you should be earning. With the right data, insights, and expertise, Resolve ensures your contract is written fairly and you are earning the compensation you deserve. Our partners at Resolve note that contracts they review and negotiate typically see an average of $24,000 in increased compensation.</p>
<h3>A well-vetted service</h3>
<p>Resolve is a trusted resource for the physician community, currently partnering with state medical associations in Nebraska, Oregon, New York, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Florida, as well as national specialty societies such as the American College of Surgeons, American College of Radiology, American Academy of Otolaryngology, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Physicians, and American Academy of Family Physicians.</p>
<h3>Get started</h3>
<p>To get started, go to <a href="https://go.resolve.com/wsma?utm_campaign=Washington%20State%20Medical%20Association&amp;utm_source=website&amp;utm_medium=partner-page">the Resolve website</a> and use code WSMA10 at checkout to receive your member discount.</p>
</div> | 9/13/2024 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| proposed-policy-resolutions-now-available-online-for-member-feedback | Proposed Policy Resolutions Now Available Online for Member Feedback | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2024/september-13/proposed-policy-resolutions-now-available-online-for-member-feedback | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2024/september/multicolor-word-bubbles-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="multicolor word bubble over silhouettes" /></div>
<h5>Sept. 13, 2024</h5>
<h2>Proposed Policy Resolutions Now Available Online for Member Feedback </h2>
<p>Policymaking is at the heart of the annual meeting of the WSMA House of Delegates, and to help inform the debates around good health care policy, the expertise and experience of WSMA members is highly valued. To help our members participate in the policymaking process, particularly those who may not be able to attend the meeting in person, the WSMA offers secure, members-only virtual reference committees, where you can review and discuss the resolutions that will be considered at the 2024 WSMA Annual Meeting, Sept. 28-29 in Spokane.</p>
<p>More than 40 resolutions are now available for member feedback in the virtual reference committees ahead of the WSMA Annual Meeting. Please consider reviewing and providing your perspective and subject-matter expertise in the days ahead. The deadline for commenting in the virtual reference committees is midnight on Tuesday, Sept. 24. Testimony provided in the virtual reference committees is given equal weight to that of in-person testimony and helps to streamline the discussions at the Annual Meeting.</p>
<h3>Resolutions now available for member feedback</h3>
<p>Resolutions currently available for comment include:</p>
<p>B-1: Public Health Advisory Board Resolution</p>
<p>B-2: Directing WSMA to Advocate for a Reduced Volume of Prior Authorizations</p>
<p>B-3: Improving Sexual Health in Washington State</p>
<p>B-4: Increasing Harm Reduction Education and Resources</p>
<p>B-5: Inactive Counties Section to the House of Delegates</p>
<p>B-6: Liability Protections and Mentorship Program for Physicians</p>
<p>B-7: Maintaining Medicaid Reimbursement for Audio-Only Telehealth Visits</p>
<p>B-8: Health Risks of Micro and Nano Plastics</p>
<p>B-9: Ensuring Effective Collaboration Between WSMA and County Medical Societies</p>
<p>B-10: Training Primary Care Physicians in Prescribing Medications for Psychiatric Conditions</p>
<p>B-11: Adolescent Screening for Unhealthy Social Media Use in the Health Care Setting</p>
<p>B-12: Removing Prior Authorization from the Buprenorphine Monoproduct</p>
<p>B-13: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Standing Committee</p>
<p>B-14: Supporting Physician Use of AI in Practice Settings</p>
<p>B-15: Expanding Payment for Visit Complexity for Office/Other Outpatient Services to Commercial Payers</p>
<p>B-16: Advancing Access to Health Savings Accounts for All Americans</p>
<p>B-17: Reporting of Health Care Access Metrics</p>
<p>B-18: Enhancing Public Safety Through Standardized Placement and Expanded Access of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in Public Spaces</p>
<p>B-19: Ensuring Regular Updates to Originating County Societies on the Status of Submitted Resolutions</p>
<p>B-20: Reinforce and Clarify Residency and Practice Requirements for WSMA Board of Trustees</p>
<p>C-1: Supporting Access to Contraception Without Prior Authorization</p>
<p>C-2: Creating a Digital Repository for Sterilization and Hysterectomy Consents</p>
<p>C-3: Diaper Product Access and Retail Tax Exemption</p>
<p>C-4: Expanding Medicaid Coverage to Include Air Purifiers or Air Cleaners in Washington State for Individuals with Asthma</p>
<p>C-5: Urging Washington State Department of Transportation to Complete Full AMTRAK CASCADES Infrastructure Plan</p>
<p>C-6: Making Education on Firearm Injury Prevention a Standard Part of the Health Curriculum for Washington State High School Students</p>
<p>C-7: Hospital Pricing and Ensuring Equitable Distribution of Health Care Funds</p>
<p>C-8: Establishing the Washington State Commission on Boys and Men</p>
<p>C-9: Continuous Glucose Monitoring for People with Diabetes</p>
<p>C-10: Regarding Reducing Climate Impacts of Anesthesia</p>
<p>C-11: Maintaining Training Requirements for Coroners and Medical Examiners in Counties Under 40,000 Population</p>
<p>C-12: Support for Legislation that Improves Health via Implementation of a Tax on Extreme Wealth</p>
<p>C-13: Washington State Return-to-Service Loan Repayment</p>
<p>C-14: Washington State Senior Medical Corp</p>
<p>C-15: Washington State Single Source Credentialing</p>
<p>C-16: Support for the Health Engagement Hub Model of Addiction Treatment</p>
<p>C-17: Reforming the Prior Authorization Processes</p>
<p>C-18: Addressing Health Disparities in Maternal and Infant Mortality</p>
<p>C-19: Legal Immunity to Physicians for Good Faith Reporting of Impaired Drivers</p>
<p>C-20: Enhancing and Expanding Financial Support for Medical Education in Washington State</p>
<p>C-21: Enhancing Awareness and Access to the Washington State Child Tax Credit</p>
<p>C-22: Advocacy for Extending Medicaid Coverage and Increasing Funding for Postpartum Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment</p>
<p>C-23: Support for Improving Maternal Health Outcomes and Extended Postdelivery Hospital Care for Birthing People with Substance Use Disorder</p>
<h3>Accessing the virtual reference committees</h3>
<p>If you haven't yet joined the virtual reference committees, you can <a href="[@]wsma/events/annual_meeting/virtual-reference-committees/wsma/events/annual_meeting/virtual-reference-committees.aspx?hkey=e30c0e9a-efb8-4160-821e-fa2485cc6bdd">learn how to do so on the WSMA website</a>.</p>
<h3>Delegate handbook now available</h3>
<p>The WSMA delegate handbook is now available for download from the <a href="[@]wsma/events/annual_meeting/wsma/events/annual_meeting/annual_meeting.aspx?hkey=fea49254-3815-4dc9-8710-53ff2e3a100f">WSMA Annual Meeting webpage</a>. The delegate handbook contains reports on issues and programs implemented or recommended by the WSMA board of trustees and executive committee and resolutions submitted by individual delegates or delegations.</p>
<h3>How the House of Delegates works</h3>
<p>All legislative power of the WSMA is vested in the voting members of the WSMA House of Delegates. Learn more about the <a href="[@]wsma/about/who_we_are/house-of-delegates.aspx?&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927&amp;hkey=c5e98d40-6e37-4bc0-9bda-a7aa66e67919">House of Delegates and how it makes policy for the WSMA</a>.</p>
<h3>Register for the 2024 WSMA Annual Meeting</h3>
<p>If you're planning on attending the meeting and haven't yet registered, <a href="[@]wsma/events/annual_meeting/wsma/events/annual_meeting/annual_meeting.aspx?hkey=fea49254-3815-4dc9-8710-53ff2e3a100f">do so today</a>-it's free for WSMA members. Rooms can be booked at the Historic Davenport or the Davenport Towers across the street. Room rates vary and can be booked online <a href="https://www.davenporthotelcollection.com/">here</a>.</p>
</div> | 9/13/2024 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |