| Rep._Nicole_Macri_Named_2025_WSMA_Legislator_of_the_Year | Rep. Nicole Macri Named 2025 WSMA Legislator of the Year | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/advocacy-report/2025/June_20/Rep._Nicole_Macri_Named_2025_WSMA_Legislator_of_the_Year | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/advocacy-report/2025/june/LS-2025-01-186-Nicole-Macri-Cropped.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="LS-2025-01-186-Nicole-Macri-Cropped.jpg" /></div>
<h5>June 20, 2025</h5>
<h2>Rep. Nicole Macri Named 2025 WSMA Legislator of the Year</h2>
<p>Each year, the WSMA honors a legislator whose influence and leadership help to make Washington one of the best states to practice medicine and receive care. This year, we are thrilled to award the 2025 Legislator of the Year Award to Rep. Nicole Macri (D-Capitol Hill).</p>
<p>Rep. Macri was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and has been a legislative leader in promoting access to care, serving on the House Health Care and Wellness Committee and as vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee.</p>
<p>Over the past two legislative sessions, Rep. Macri was the prime sponsor of WSMA priority legislation House Bill 1392 creating the Medicaid Access Program. She shepherded the bill through the legislative process during a challenging budget year, resulting in its passage and delivery to the governor’s desk. Her thoughtful facilitation of negotiation meetings, generous accessibility throughout the legislative session, and focused efforts to ensure the bill came up for a vote at crucial junctures were all instrumental to the passage of this legislation. We appreciate Rep. Macri’s leadership and collaboration on this important effort.</p>
<p>Rep. Macri also worked with the WSMA to amend another of her bills, House Bill 1123. This amendment clarified that the reimbursement cap for inpatient and outpatient hospital services for state employee health plans would not apply to professional services, ensuring independent physician groups operating in hospital settings would not be adversely impacted by limiting reimbursement. We are grateful for Rep. Macri’s willingness to hear our concerns and work with us on a solution.</p>
<p>More broadly, the WSMA and physician community are grateful for Rep. Macri’s ongoing work to support access to behavioral health services, address the opioid epidemic, protect reproductive health care services, and support public health. These are crucial and often contentious areas of policy where Washington state’s residents all benefit from her leadership.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The WSMA thanks Rep. Macri for her work on the Medicaid Access Program and for her ongoing partnership to ensure its implementation as well as her legislative leadership. Congratulations on being named our 2025 Legislator of the Year! </p>
</div> | 6/17/2025 11:55:17 AM | 6/17/2025 12:00:00 AM |
| deadlines-and-delegate-opportunities-for-the-2025-annual-meeting-of-the-wsma-house-of-delegates | Deadlines and Delegate Opportunities for the 2025 Annual Meeting of the WSMA House of Delegates | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2025/June-13/deadlines-and-delegate-opportunities-for-the-2025-annual-meeting-of-the-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/2025/june/se-01-venticinque-240928-0460-2024-annual-meeting-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="Annual Meeting session" /></div>
<h5>June 13, 2025</h5>
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<h2>Deadlines and Delegate Opportunities for the 2025 Annual Meeting of the WSMA House of Delegates </h2>
<p>Mark your calendars and plan to attend the 2025 Annual Meeting of the WSMA House of Delegates at The Westin Bellevue, Sept. 20-21. The WSMA Annual Meeting is the association's yearly policymaking event, where the voting members of the association gather to debate and determine policy, elect officers, enjoy educational offerings, and connect in person. The meeting isn't just for delegates; all are welcome to attend and take advantage of the educational offerings, social events, and networking opportunities. It's also a great way to witness firsthand how policy is made at the WSMA.</p>
<h3><strong>What you need to know in advance of the WSMA Annual Meeting </strong></h3>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>How to serve as a delegate</strong> <br />
If you would like to serve as a delegate at the 2025 Annual Meeting, please contact your local county society or state specialty society. If you are unsure who to contact, email WSMA staff at <a href="mailto:hod@wsma.org">hod@wsma.org</a>. Be sure to review the <a href="[@]wsma/about_us/who_we_are/house-of-delegates/wsma/about/who_we_are/house-of-delegates.aspx?hkey=8c843bfe-b865-4199-9765-4ac24e2de108">duties and expectations of service as a delegate</a>.</p>
<p><strong>How to propose policy<br />
</strong>As a WSMA member, you can help guide the direction of the association and raise awareness of issues of importance to the practice of medicine in Washington by authoring a resolution: a proposal asking the WSMA to take a position or act on an issue. Resolutions must be sponsored by at least two WSMA delegates. If you are interested in authoring a resolution but are not a delegate or board member, the WSMA will work with you to develop your resolution idea and find a sponsor. Contact us at <a href="mailto:hod@wsma.org">hod@wsma.org</a> for assistance. Visit the <a href="https://wsma.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0xMTU3ODYxMyZwPTEmdT0xMDc4MTA4MzYwJmxpPTEwOTc4Mjk2NA/index.html">How to Write a Resolution page</a> for everything you need to know about proposing policy at the WSMA Annual Meeting.</p>
<p><strong>How to review, discuss, and inform proposed policy in advance of the meeting</strong><br />
To help hone your resolution idea or to engage with other highly engaged and policy-focused WSMA members, including delegates, join our secure Virtual Reference Committees and Policy Community. Accessible using email, website, or mobile app, you may post and share resources, connect via private chat, see member profiles, and receive updates tailored to your specifications. <a href="https://wsma.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0xMTU3ODYxMyZwPTEmdT0xMDc4MTA4MzYwJmxpPTEwOTc4Mjk2NQ/index.html">Request to join the WSMA Virtual Reference Committees and Policy Community</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Important meeting deadlines</strong> </p>
<ul>
<li>Aug. 9: Reports and resolutions due for inclusion in delegate handbook.</li>
<li>Aug. 20: Final deadline for reports and resolutions. Resolutions received after this date must have the consent of two-thirds of the House at the opening session to be considered.</li>
<li>Aug. 28: Deadline to make room reservations at The Westin Bellevue.</li>
<li>Aug. 29: Delegate handbook will be available for download.</li>
<li>Sept. 20-21: 2025 WSMA Annual Meeting.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Thank you to our corporate partners</strong> </p>
<p>Thank you to our corporate partners for their generous support: Physicians Insurance, Northern Capital Management, Gohagan &amp; Company, and Resolve.</p>
</div> | 6/9/2025 11:31:22 AM | 6/12/2025 12:00:00 AM |
| wsma_physician_leader_elected_to_leadership_at_the_american_medical_association | WSMA Physician Leader Elected to Leadership at the American Medical Association | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2025/June-13/wsma_physician_leader_elected_to_leadership_at_the_american_medical_association | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2025/june/Rege_5811.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="Teen with smartphone" /></div>
<h5>June 13, 2025</h5>
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<h2>WSMA Physician Leader Elected to Leadership at the American Medical Association </h2>
<p>The WSMA offers a hearty congratulations to Sheila Rege, MD, a radiation oncologist in private practice serving the Kennewick community, who this week was elected to the 21-member AMA board of trustees.</p>
<p>The election was held Tuesday, June 10, during the Annual Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates in Chicago. Dr. Rege is a longtime WSMA member and trustee, currently serving on the WSMA board as an AMA delegate representing the interests and needs of Washington state physicians and their patients in the creation of policies and programs at the AMA.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In her new position on the AMA board, Dr. Rege will have a further strengthened opportunity to inform AMA policy on the many shared interests of the two associations, from reforming onerous prior authorization processes and a broken Medicare physician payment system to providing leadership in the development of artificial intelligence in health care and cultivating the next generation of physician leaders.</p>
<p>“I am deeply honored to be elected to the AMA board of trustees,†said Dr. Rege in a <a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2025/wsma_physician_leader_elected_to_leadership_at_the_american_medical_association"><span data-contrast="none">press release</span></a>. “At a time when physicians are navigating unprecedented pressures—from misinformation to mounting administrative burdens—I’m committed to bringing practical, ethical leadership. I will advocate to protect physician autonomy, and ensure patients—regardless of ZIP code, race, or income—receive high-quality, compassionate care.â€</p>
<p>Dr. Rege has been a member of the WSMA for more than 20 years, serving on its board of trustees for 20 years. As she assumes her new leadership position with the AMA, she will continue to remain active at the state medical association to share insights into her work at the AMA.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Other newsmakers at the AMA meeting&nbsp;</h3>
<p>WSMA Foundation vice president and WSMA board member, Carrie Horwitch, MD was recognized by the AMA Foundation as one of their <a href="https://amafoundation.org/news/meet-the-2025-ama-foundation-excellence-in-medicine-honorees/"><span data-contrast="none">Excellence in Medicine Award winners</span></a>. Dr. Horwitch received the Jack B. McConnell, MD Award in Excellence for Volunteerism. In honor of Dr. Horwitch, a grant was awarded to the MAVEN Project.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The WSMA would like to also acknowledge WSMA board member Teresa Girolami, MD, for being nominated for an AMPAC award.&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>Picture courtesy of Ted Grudzinski, MMX</em></p>
</div> | 6/11/2025 1:49:26 PM | 6/12/2025 12:00:00 AM |
| wsma_physician_leader_elected_to_leadership_at_the_american_medical_association | WSMA Physician Leader Elected to Leadership at the American Medical Association | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2025/wsma_physician_leader_elected_to_leadership_at_the_american_medical_association | <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>June 11, 2025, 2025</h5>
<h2>WSMA Physician Leader Elected to Leadership at the American Medical Association</h2>
<p>Washington's largest physician professional association, the Washington State Medical Association, today is celebrating the election of a key Washington physician leader to a top position within the American Medical Association, the nation's largest physician organization.</p>
<p>Sheila Rege, MD, a radiation oncologist in private practice serving the Kennewick community, was elected by the AMA House of Delegates to serve on the 21-member board of trustees of the national organization. The election was held Tuesday, June 10, during the Annual Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates in Chicago. Dr. Rege is a leader within the WSMA, serving on the WSMA's board of trustees as an AMA delegate representing the interests and needs of Washington state physicians and their patients in the creation of policies and programs at the AMA. In her new position on the AMA board, Dr. Rege will have a further strengthened opportunity to inform AMA policy on the many shared interests of the two associations, from reforming onerous prior authorization processes and a broken Medicare physician payment system to providing leadership in the development of artificial intelligence in health care and cultivating the next generation of physician leaders.</p>
<p>“I am deeply honored to be elected to the AMA board of trustees,†said Dr. Rege. “At a time when physicians are navigating unprecedented pressures—from misinformation to mounting administrative burdens—I’m committed to bringing practical, ethical leadership. I will advocate to protect physician autonomy, and ensure patients—regardless of ZIP code, race, or income—receive high-quality, compassionate care.â€</p>
<p>Dr. Rege has been a member of the WSMA for more than 20 years, serving on its board of trustees for 20 years. She has been a member of the AMA since 1987. Dr. Rege has been elected twice to the AMA Council on Medical Service and brings to the AMA board deep expertise in the issues of health care payment systems and advocacy.</p>
<p>“I’m especially focused on advancing Medicare and Medicaid reforms, reducing red tape, and amplifying the voices of frontline physicians. As new federal policies and executive actions emerge, we must be proactive—shaping legislative change rather than reacting to it—and build a profession that empowers today’s and tomorrow’s physician leaders,†added Dr. Rege.</p>
<p>As she assumes her new leadership position with the AMA, she will continue to remain active at the state medical association to share insights into her work at the AMA.</p>
<p>“We are so proud of Dr. Rege and offer her the warmest of congratulations for her hard-won campaign,†says WSMA President John Bramhall, MD, PhD. “The house of medicine is facing so many challenges both at the state and federal levels—challenges that continue to create barriers to physicians’ ability to connect with their patients and provide the expert, evidence-based care that’s at the heart of good medicine. Having someone with Dr. Rege’s insights and accomplishments in leadership at the AMA will help both of our organizations as we continue working together to keep medicine physician-driven and patient-focused, both nationally and in Washington state.â€</p>
<p>In addition to roles within the AMA, Dr. Rege is a clinical associate professor at Washington State University at Tri-Cities and has been a mentor at the Creative Destruction Lab, a global initiative supporting science and tech start-ups. She is past chair of the Washington State Health Technology Committee. Dr. Rege has served as president of the American College of Radiation Oncology, was previously the medical director for the western region of a large physician multispecialty group, and worked in an urban academic center as the director of research in radiology at Louisiana State University Shreveport. Dr. Rege received her undergraduate degree in biochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley and graduated with highest distinction and high honors as a President’s Undergraduate Research Fellow. She received her medical degree from the University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine.</p>
<p><a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/News and Publications/Press Room/Rege.Sheila_2019.NovDec.jpg]">Download a portrait of Sheila Rege, MD.</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>
<p>
<strong>About the Washington State Medical Association </strong>
</p>
<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> | 6/11/2025 8:54:09 AM | 6/11/2025 9:27:52 AM |
| wsma_statement_on_removal_of_cdc_vaccine_advisory_committee_members | WSMA Statement on Removal of CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee Members | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2025/wsma_statement_on_removal_of_cdc_vaccine_advisory_committee_members | <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>June 11, 2025, 2025</h5>
<h2>WSMA Statement on Removal of CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee Members</h2>
<p>WSMA President John Bramhall, MD, PhD, issued the following statement in response to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s decision to remove all 17 members of the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices.
</p>
<p>"Secretary Kennedy's <a href="https://www.wsj.com/opinion/rfk-jr-hhs-moves-to-restore-public-trust-in-vaccines-45495112?mod=opinion_lead_pos5">sudden firing</a> of all 17 members of the CDC panel of advisors for immunization practices (ACIP) all but confirms the fears of the thousands of <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25482818-committee-to-protect-health-care-rfk-jr/">physicians</a> and <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/09/health/kennedy-hhs-nobel-laureates.html">scientists</a> that opposed his nomination that he would not respect scientific evidence and would use his office to continue his attacks on established medical approaches to disease prevention such as <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/rfk-jr-vaccines-cdc-fascism-abuse-catholic-church-autism-conferences-rcna181605">vaccination</a>.</p>
<p>"This panel of dedicated scientists and physicians advises the CDC, which then makes official recommendations for childhood and adult vaccine schedules—critically important guidance for the American public’s access to protective immunizations, for the health professionals administering these vaccines, and for the safeguarding of communities from communicable disease.</p>
<p>"This decision follows on the heels of other concerning federal actions relating to health care, including the targeted removal of public health data. The WSMA joins our many health partners in Washington state and across the country in denouncing these ideologically driven actions that have dangerously weakened public trust in the guidance provided by our federal health institutions and undermined our ability as physicians and health professionals to provide the highest standard of care to our patients."</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>
<p>
<strong>About the Washington State Medical Association </strong>
</p>
<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> | 6/11/2025 8:41:57 AM | 6/11/2025 9:04:58 AM |
| action-alert-help-wsma-set-the-record-straight-on-medicaid-cuts | Action Alert! Help WSMA Set the Record Straight on Medicaid Cuts | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/advocacy-report/2025/june-6/action-alert-help-wsma-set-the-record-straight-on-medicaid-cuts | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>June 6, 2025</h5>
<h2>Action Alert! Help WSMA Set the Record Straight on Medicaid Cuts </h2>
<p>The WSMA is deeply concerned with the proposed Medicaid cuts currently under consideration in Congress, which would have severe consequences for Washington state, intensifying our existing budget challenges and destabilizing the health care system-particularly in rural areas where Medicaid is a significant source of insurance coverage.</p>
<p>We are just as troubled by the reasons given for these cuts. From "requiring able-bodied people to work" to "tackling fraud and abuse" and the frequent reference to Medicaid being available to only those who "deserve it," comments from congressional supporters continually downplay the real-world impact these cuts will have on the health and welfare of everyone who needs health care-all of us.</p>
<p><strong>It's time to let all Washingtonians know what is at stake. The most important way the physician community can help oppose these Medicaid cuts is to educate the public via your local paper, op-eds, letters to the editor, and social media.</strong> </p>
<p>Physicians and practitioners are trusted voices-we must leverage that trust to tell the public what these cuts mean to Washington state and Washingtonians. And we must do it soon, as time is running out.</p>
<p>Nationwide, the current congressional proposal passed by the U.S. House of Representatives would impose $715 billion in cuts to health care and result in more than 13.7 million Medicaid and Affordable Care Act enrollees losing coverage. The proposal would also end state-directed payments and "provider taxes," used by states to return revenue to physicians and health professionals in the form of higher reimbursement rates, such as the assessment at the heart of WSMA's priority Medicaid Access Program in House Bill 1392.</p>
<p>The U.S. Senate is currently considering similar significant changes to the Medicaid program and will be issuing its proposal later this month. This month is crucial-and the sooner you act, the better.</p>
<p>To help our members take action, the WSMA has created <a href="[@]wsma/advocacy/take_action/wsma/advocacy/take_action/take_action.aspx?hkey=3598752c-64f4-4866-a95a-7610f4e1dd25">a public messaging campaign</a>, with tools to help the physician community correct the record on Medicaid cuts. In our campaign, we look at the common reasons congressional supporters give for these cuts vs. the reality of how the cuts will impact Washington state and Washingtonians, based on data and estimates from the state Health Care Authority. We provide language to help you set the record straight using simple, clear arguments.</p>
<p>We also provide: </p>
<ul>
<li>A sample op-ed or letter to the editor </li>
<li>Sample social media posts </li>
<li>Social media graphics </li>
<li>Digital banner graphic for websites, email newsletters, social media pages </li>
</ul>
</div> | 6/5/2025 11:51:12 AM | 6/6/2025 12:00:00 AM |
| state-budget-and-tax-package-signed-into-law-whats-next | State Budget and Tax Package Signed Into Law - What's Next? | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/advocacy-report/2025/june-6/state-budget-and-tax-package-signed-into-law-whats-next | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>June 6, 2025</h5>
<h2>State Budget and Tax Package Signed Into Law - What's Next? </h2>
<p>Once legislators approved a new budget and billions in tax increases and left Olympia on April 27, the only question left was whether Gov. Bob Ferguson would sign the bills into law. After vowing to carefully review the budget and tax bills before taking action on them, Gov. Ferguson signed the bills on May 20, keeping the tax bills intact and making only minor vetoes to items in the operating budget.</p>
<p>In all, the new state spending plan appropriates $78 million over the two-year fiscal cycle that begins on July 1. And the business and occupation tax increase included in House Bill 2081-proposed and passed in the last 12 days of session- will increase taxes on physicians and health care professionals by around $50 million annually.</p>
<p>Gov. Ferguson did note that tax rates would be revisited in future sessions. The WSMA vehemently opposed the B&amp;O tax increase on the physician community and will be working with policymakers to try to rectify the rate hike in the interest of promoting access to care and preserving independent physician practices.</p>
<p>In addition to ongoing work around the B&amp;O tax, the WSMA will be revisiting prior authorization reforms in the 2026 session when Senate Bill 5395 is reintroduced. Elsewhere, we're working to fill out our legislative agenda. If you have an idea of an issue we should consider working on, email WSMA Director of Government Affairs <a href="mailto:sean@wsma.org">Sean Graham</a>.</p>
<p>Of course, it's possible that legislators will be back in town for a special session before next January. The dust hadn't settled on this year's session before speculation started spreading of a special session in September or October, potentially in response to cuts that are being threatened to Medicaid and other programs at the federal level.</p>
<p>While that process is playing out in the "other" Washington, closer to home, legislators will get an updated sense of the state budget picture next month with an updated revenue forecast that estimates how much in taxes the state will take in over the coming years. Spoiler: Expect a gloomy outlook and a challenging state budget dynamic for the foreseeable future.</p>
</div> | 6/5/2025 11:51:15 AM | 6/6/2025 12:00:00 AM |
| work-continues-to-reform-prior-authorization-at-state-federal-levels | Work Continues to Reform Prior Authorization at State, Federal Levels | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/advocacy-report/2025/june-6/work-continues-to-reform-prior-authorization-at-state-federal-levels | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>June 6, 2025</h5>
<h2>Work Continues to Reform Prior Authorization at State, Federal Levels </h2>
<p>Building on our past efforts to reform the prior authorization process, the WSMA worked with the Washington State Hospital Association and Proliance Surgeons to bring forward legislation in the 2025 legislative session-Senate Bill 5395, sponsored by Sen. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines), and House Bill 1566, sponsored by Rep. Alicia Rule (D-Blaine)-to improve transparency and accountability in prior authorization determinations.</p>
<p>As the use of artificial intelligence increases in health care, one point of focus in the bill was aimed at ensuring transparency and building guardrails for the use of such technology. The legislation would have prohibited AI from being the sole means to deny a prior authorization, ensuring that any denial of a request can only be made upon review by a licensed physician or health professional working within their scope of practice.</p>
<p>Additionally, we heard from the physician community that there are cases where a prior authorization is approved and then later denied, causing physician-led teams to chase payment from carriers. While this is already illegal under state law, this bill would have clarified current statute to say that retrospective denials would not be considered "adverse benefit determinations" and would not be required to follow the standard appeals process to avoid another time-consuming hurdle for physicians and their teams.</p>
<p>The bill was met with initial opposition from insurance carriers and concerns from the Health Care Authority, the state's Medicaid agency. Working with our partners, we were able to successfully negotiate policy elements of the bill with impacted state agencies, insurance carriers, and patient groups. However, the bill was ultimately bogged down by the cost of implementation in a year with tough budget constraints and did not advance out of the Senate budget committee.</p>
<p>Despite the outcome, the WSMA remains committed to our work in reforming the prior authorization process as it continues to disrupt patients' access to health care services and contribute to administrative burden for the physician community. The Washington State Legislature operates on a two-year cycle, and these bills will automatically be reintroduced when the 2026 session convenes next January. With these bills and our broader, ongoing work around prior authorization, the WSMA looks forward to continuing to prioritize advocacy on this important issue.</p>
<h3>The Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act </h3>
<p>At the federal level, a bipartisan group of congressional senators and representatives, including Washington's Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA) reintroduced the WSMA-supported Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act. During a recent meeting with Rep. DelBene, the WSMA indicated strong support for a measure that would: </p>
<ul>
<li> Establish an electronic prior authorization process for Medicare Advantage plans, including standardization for transactions and clinical attachments.
<ul>
<li>Faxes, electronic forms, or proprietary web portals run by health plans that do not meet these standards would not qualify as secure electronic transmissions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Increase transparency around Medicare Advantage prior authorization and its use.
<ul>
<li>Health plans would now be required to, among other things, report on all items and services subjected to electronic prior authorization requirements during the previous plan year, the percent and number of requests approved and denied, the percent and number of requests approved or denied utilizing artificial intelligence or machine learning technology, and the average and median amount of time (in hours) that elapsed between the time the request was submitted and when the health plan issued a final decision.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Clarify U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' authority to establish timeframes for electronic prior authorization requests, including expedited timelines for determinations, as well as real-time decisions for routinely approved items, services, and other prior authorization requests.</li>
<li>Expand beneficiary protections to improve enrollee experiences and outcomes, including allowing for the waiver or modification of prior authorization requirements for contracted physicians and suppliers based on past performance and adherence to evidence-based medical guidelines (i.e., Gold Card programs).</li>
<li>Require HHS and other agencies report to Congress on program integrity efforts and other ways to further improve the electronic prior authorization process.</li>
</ul>
<p>A full section-by-section analysis of the legislation can be found <a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Seniors-Act-Section-by-Section-Summary.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">here</a>. As of May 27, the legislation has garnered tremendous bipartisan support, securing 49 cosponsors in the Senate and 77 in the House. The WSMA applauds the introduction of this legislation and will urge members of Washington's congressional delegation to support its passage into law.</p>
</div> | 6/5/2025 11:48:01 AM | 6/6/2025 12:00:00 AM |
| wsma-leads-legal-challenge-to-federal-removal-of-public-health-data | WSMA Leads Legal Challenge to Federal Removal of Public Health Data | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/advocacy-report/2025/june-6/wsma-leads-legal-challenge-to-federal-removal-of-public-health-data | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/advocacy-report/2025/june/bill-oxford-oxghu60nwxu-unsplash-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="wooden gavel" /></div>
<h5>June 6, 2025</h5>
<h2>WSMA Leads Legal Challenge to Federal Removal of Public Health Data </h2>
<p><em>Washington State Medical Association et al. v. Kennedy et al. was filed in federal district court on May 20.</em> </p>
<p>Aligned with our mission to provide leadership and advocacy to shape the future of medicine and advance quality care for Washingtonians, the WSMA is leading a legal challenge to the federal administration's removal of essential public health and scientific data from federal websites. This nonpartisan action is vital for restoring access, ensuring transparency, and supporting the evidence-based decision-making at the heart of the patient-physician relationship that enhances health outcomes across all communities.</p>
<p>Since January, the federal executive branch has deleted numerous websites that physicians, practitioners, scientists, public health professionals, and others rely upon, removing data on a wide range of topics including pregnancy risks, opioid-use disorder, the AIDS epidemic, and more.</p>
<p>"In an instant, trusted health information vanished-resources that physicians, other clinicians, and clinics relied on to manage patients' health conditions and overall care," said WSMA President John Bramhall, MD, PhD, in <a href="[@]Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2025/washington-health-groups-sue-to-stop-federal-governments-deletion-of-vital-health-data-and-resources.aspx">a press release</a>. "This is more than a policy shift; it is a direct attack on science, evidence-based medicine, and our profession's ability to care for our patients. As the leading voice for physicians in Washington state, we must stop this direct interference into our ability to provide the best care for our patients." For specific resources deleted and the executive orders being challenged, see the <a href="[@]Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2025/washington-health-groups-sue-to-stop-federal-governments-deletion-of-vital-health-data-and-resources.aspx">press release</a>.</p>
<p>Washington State Medical Association et al. v. Kennedy et al. was filed in United States District Court for the Western District of Washington on May 20. The suit highlights the significant impact of the deleted information on physicians and health professionals and includes testimony from WSMA members among others on the impact to their patients and practices. Joining the WSMA as co-plaintiffs are the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Washington State Nurses Association, AcademyHealth, Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, Fast-Track Cities Institute, International Association of Providers of AIDS Care, National LGBT Cancer Network, and Vermont Medical Society. The plaintiffs are suing to require the administration to restore deleted websites and stop any further removal of public health data.</p>
<p>The WSMA will incorporate the principles at the heart of this legal challenge into its <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</a> public messaging campaign in the months ahead to highlight our core values of <a href="[@]Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2025/president-john-bramhall-md-phd-reaffirms-the-wsmas-commitment-to-medical-ethics">medical ethics, evidenced-based medicine, and science</a> and to help combat misinformation. For questions, contact WSMA Director of Communications Graham Short at <a href="mailto:gfs@wsma.org">gfs@wsma.org</a>.</p>
</div> | 6/5/2025 11:51:08 AM | 6/6/2025 12:00:00 AM |
| gov-ferguson-signs-hb-1392-medicaid-access-program-legislation | Gov. Ferguson Signs HB 1392 Medicaid Access Program Legislation | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2025/gov-ferguson-signs-hb-1392-medicaid-access-program-legislation | <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>May 20, 2025</h5>
<h2>Gov. Bob Ferguson Signs HB 1392 to Improve Reimbursements, Strengthen Medicaid, Improve Access to Care in Washington State</h2>
<p>
<em>With its Medicaid Access Program bill now law, the Washington State Medical Association joins 50-state coalition to stop nationwide Medicaid cuts</em>
</p>
<p>
Washington state's physician community is celebrating today after <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=1392&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false">House Bill 1392</a>, legislation sponsored by Rep. Nicole Macri (D-Capitol Hill) that establishes the Medicaid Access Program, was signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson on Monday, May 19. Both the culmination of a multiyear coalition effort led by the Washington State Medical Association and the first step in a longer journey to increase access to services provided through Washington state's Medicaid program, HB 1392 establishes state law designed to leverage federal dollars, invest in Washington's Medicaid program, and allow physicians and advanced practitioners to take more Medicaid patients.
</p>
<p>
"Our work to increase access to routine preventive and acute primary and specialty care in Washington state is certainly not done, as Medicaid is under grave threat by Republicans in Congress," says WSMA President John Bramhall, MD, PhD. "But the passage of our Medicaid Access Program bill is a moment that needs to be acknowledged. HB 1392 represents so much hard work by our many partners in the physician community, all of whom were driven by a compassionate desire to ensure Washingtonians can access the care they need."
</p>
<p>
Despite the fact that nearly 1 out of every 4 Washington residents is on Medicaid, the state effectively limits their access to primary and specialty care services by not paying the full cost of care. It's been decades since the Washington State Legislature has provided a broad-based reimbursement rate increase for physicians and practitioners serving Medicaid patients, with Washington's specialty Medicaid reimbursement rates among the worst in the nation. This underpayment means that many clinics and medical groups cannot afford to see the number of Medicaid patients who need care. As designed, the Medicaid Access Program will leverage federal funding to raise Medicaid reimbursement rates for all professional services provided by physicians, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses from all specialties to at least Medicare levels and will index to inflation. Details on the Medicaid Access Program can be found <a href="https://takeaction.wsma.org/faq/">here</a>.
</p>
<p>
"The Medicaid Access Program is premised on the simple idea that Medicaid recipients deserve the same expert medical care as everyone else and the best way to do that is to increase reimbursement rates," says Dr. Bramhall.
</p>
<p>
Approval of the Medicaid Access Program represents a critical step in a long journey toward a healthier Washington. Over the past several months, the WSMA has been working in coalition with all 50 state medical associations to <a href="https://takeaction.wsma.org/no-federal-medicaid-cuts">stop federal cuts to state Medicaid programs</a>. In addition, the WSMA will be working in the coming months with the governor's office and the state Health Care Authority to seek required approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for the Medicaid Access Program. The Medicaid Access Program in HB 1392 was designed to comply with current federal regulations.
</p>
<p>
The WSMA would like to thank Rep. Macri for championing the legislation, the many physician organization partners and individual physicians that provided support and testimony for HB 1392, including the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Washington State Radiology Society, TRA Medical Imaging in Tacoma, Beth Ebel, MD, Jay Fathi, MD, Anna McKeone, MD, Douglas Seiler, MD, Lloyd Stambaugh, MD, Chelsea Unruh, MD, and the dozens of other state specialty societies, county medical societies, medical associations, clinics and medical groups, and hundreds of individuals who sent messages to legislators, submitted letters and op-eds to media, supplied data, and otherwise supported HB 1392.
</p>
<p>
<a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/News and Publications/Press Room/1392-bill-signing-pic.jpg]">Download a hi-res photo of the bill signing</a>. Pictured: WSMA Government Affairs Director Sean Graham, WSMA contract lobbyist Amy Brackenbury, Gov. Bob Ferguson, and WSMA CEO Jennifer Hanscom.
</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 WSMA 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> | 5/20/2025 10:10:52 AM | 5/20/2025 12:00:00 AM |
| washington-health-groups-sue-to-stop-federal-governments-deletion-of-vital-health-data-and-resources | WA Health Groups Sue to Stop Federal Government's Deletion of Vital Health Data and Resources | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2025/washington-health-groups-sue-to-stop-federal-governments-deletion-of-vital-health-data-and-resources | <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>Tuesday, May 20, 2025</h5>
<h2>Washington Health Groups Sue to Stop Federal Government's Deletion of Vital Health Data and Resources</h2>
<p>
<em>The federal lawsuit aims to restore taxpayer-funded websites and databases relied on by health professionals, scientists, and researchers.</em>
</p>
<p>
Seattle - Today, a coalition of nine co-plaintiffs, including three Washington-based health professional organizations, sued the federal government to stop the deletion of vital public health and science data. Since January, the federal executive branch has deleted numerous websites that physicians, nurses, scientists, public health professionals and others rely upon, removing data on a wide range of topics including pregnancy risks, opioid-use disorder, the AIDS epidemic, and more.
</p>
<p>
"These executive-ordered website deletions were driven by ideology, not by science or evidence," said John Bramhall, MD, PhD, president of the Washington State Medical Association. "In an instant, trusted health information vanished—resources that physicians, other clinicians, and clinics relied on to manage patients' health conditions and overall care. This is more than a policy shift; it is a direct attack on science, evidence-based medicine, and our profession's ability to care for our patients. As the leading voice for physicians in Washington state, we must stop this direct interference into our ability to provide the best care for our patients."
</p>
<p>
The suit, filed in United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, would require the administration to restore deleted websites and stop any further removal of public health data. The suit highlights the administration's "arbitrary, capricious and unreasoned" decisions to delete these critical resources, which federal law requires be made available to the American people.
</p>
<p>
"Nurses strive to provide evidence-based care. That means care that is driven by current data—but we can't do that if the data is unavailable," said Justin Gill, DNP, APRN, RN, president of the Washington State Nurses Association. "The Administration's actions in deleting and scrubbing information from federal health agency websites not only harms our members—it endangers our patients, their families, and communities. We need access to current data to provide our patients with the care they need and the knowledge they need to make informed health care decisions."
</p>
<p>
In recent years, Washington has been on the front lines of public health crises where up-to-date, evidence-based care is crucial to effective prevention and treatment, from the first confirmed U.S. cases of COVID-19 and a recent surge in whooping cough cases to crises in youth mental health, fentanyl addiction, and many more.
</p>
<p>
"WCAAP is joining this lawsuit so that pediatricians regain access to the evidence and databases we need in order to care for children and their families," said Beth Ebel, MD, MPH, president of the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. "Our members have been startled to discover that critical travel advice to protect children and adolescents from infections has been removed, including guidance on highly effective medications and vaccinations. Early alert data identifying new injury and poison risks have been impacted. Long-time data that guide the health of kids in school and emergence of new risks such as Zyn pods filled with flavored nicotine are impacted. Families rely upon pediatricians to provide the best advice for their children, and pediatricians need access to critical data to guide their care and do our jobs."
</p>
<p>
Washington State Medical Association et al. v. Kennedy et al. highlights the significant impact of the deleted information. The scrubbing of data is preventing physicians, nurses, and other practitioners from providing critical information to their patients, preventing nonprofit health organizations from utilizing data to inform cutting-edge research, and impeding efforts by local governments to track the spread of disease and address behavioral health crises.
</p>
<p>
"We can't afford to stand on the sidelines while the foundation of evidence-based research—open, public data—is quietly dismantled," said Aaron Carroll, MD, president and CEO of AcademyHealth. "Access to trustworthy information is what allows us to solve real problems, improve health outcomes, and plan for the future. If we don't stand up for data now, we risk losing the tools we all rely on to make progress—regardless of politics."
</p>
<p>
The lawsuit's nine plaintiffs are the following: Washington State Medical Association, Washington State Nurses Association, Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, AcademyHealth, Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, Fast-Track Cities Institute, International Association of Providers of AIDS Care, National LGBT Cancer Network, and Vermont Medical Society.
</p>
<p>
For more information contact:
</p>
<p>
Graham Short, WSMA<br />
<a href="mailto:gfs@wsma.org">gfs@wsma.org</a>, c: 206.329.6851 (text OK)
</p>
<p>
Lelach Rave, MD, WCAAP<br />
<a href="mailto:lrave@wcaap.org">lrave@wcaap.org</a>, c: 206.403.6105 (text OK)
</p>
<p>
Evan Sutton, WSNA<br />
<a href="mailto:esutton@wsna.org">esutton@wsna.org</a>, c: 206.851.0178
</p>
<p>
Bobbi Nodell, WSNA<br />
<a href="mailto:bnodell@wsna.org">bnodell@wsna.org</a>, c: 206.639.1708
</p>
<h3>BACKGROUND AND MORE</h3>
<p>
<strong>Relevant EOs:</strong> <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/30/2025-02090/defending-women-from-gender-ideology-extremism-and-restoring-biological-truth-to-the-federal">Executive Order 14168</a>, titled "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government," was signed on Jan. 20, 2025. <a href="https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-01953.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Executive Order 14151</a>, titled "Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing," was signed the same day.
</p>
<p>
<strong>"Gold-standard" resources deleted</strong>, identified include: NIH's HIV Risk Reduction Tool, information related to National Immunization Awareness Month, HRSA FAQs for Mpox treatment, HRSA information about opioid use among women, various resources on health issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community, guidance to integrate diversity and inclusion in work related to mental-health assistance for the homeless, training modules from NIH's Office of Research on Women's Health, information related to transgender behavioral-health disparities, an HHS reading list titled "Advancing Better Health Through Better Understanding for Black and African American Communities: Health Literacy, Health Care Access, and Culturally Appropriate Care," and HHS's website dedicated to reproductive rights.
</p>
<p>
<strong>About WSMA:</strong>&nbsp;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>
<p>
<strong>About WSNA: </strong>The Washington State Nurses Association is a professional organization and labor union representing more than 20,000 registered nurses in Washington state. It is the Washington constituent of the American Nurses Association and an affiliate of AFT, a national union representing professionals in education, health care, and public service. The WSNA is dedicated to advancing and advocating for nurses and the nursing profession in Washington. It provides leadership for the nursing profession and promotes quality health care for consumers through education, collective bargaining, and policy advocacy. The WSNA and its members are on the front line of providing health care services, including preventive care.
</p>
<p>
<strong>About WCAAP:</strong>&nbsp;The Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics represents over 1,200 pediatric health care professionals from across Washington state. Our mission is to optimize the health and well-being of children and their families while advancing pediatric care. The WCAAP frames and leads the public discussion on child health issues, advances public policy to benefit children, and empowers pediatric clinicians to provide quality medical care.
</p>
</div> | 5/20/2025 9:33:39 AM | 5/20/2025 12:00:00 AM |
| numerous-special-elections-on-tap-for-2025 | Numerous Special Elections on Tap for 2025 | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/advocacy-report/2025/may-16/numerous-special-elections-on-tap-for-2025 | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/advocacy-report/2025/may/istock-1259154099-stethoscope-ballotbox-blue-background-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="ballot being place in ballot box with image of stethoscope on the outside" /></div>
<h5>May 16, 2025</h5>
<h2>Numerous Special Elections on Tap for 2025</h2>
<p>2025 is a unique post-presidential election year for Washington state as there is an array of special elections for legislative seats slated in November. A combination of retirements, elections to higher offices, and appointments made by Gov. Bob Ferguson necessitates at least nine special elections across six legislative districts. Washington Medical Political Action Committee-better known as WAMPAC, the nonpartisan campaign arm of the WSMA-will monitor and engage in these campaigns to highlight the priorities of the house of medicine.</p>
<h3>Special election process</h3>
<p>When a vacancy arises in the Legislature, generally the board of county commissioners or county council bears the responsibility to select a replacement. As outlined in the state constitution, the local political party of the departing legislator nominates three replacements for consideration and the board or council picks from that list. If a decision isn't reached within 60 days of a vacancy occurring, the governor has 30 days to make an appointment. Then, a special election is held for the voters to determine who will hold the seat for the remainder of the legislative term whether that is the appointee or another candidate who runs for the position.</p>
<h3>5th Legislative District</h3>
<p>State Sen. Bill Ramos died unexpectedly on April 19 and the process to fill this vacancy has not yet begun at the time of this writing. Current Rep. Victoria Hunt plans to seek the Senate seat, potentially creating another vacancy in the 5th district. The 5th District includes Issaquah, Renton, and Snoqualmie, among other areas.</p>
<h3>26th Legislative District</h3>
<p>Former state Sen. Emily Randall was elected to Congress during the 2024 elections, creating an open Senate seat in the 26th District. Deborah Krishnadasan was appointed to fill the vacancy, serving as the district's state senator during the 2025 legislative session. Rep. Michelle Caldier, the Republican representative in this district, has announced she will also run for the Senate seat. The 26th District includes parts of Kitsap and Pierce counties and is one of the few remaining swing districts in the state.</p>
<h3>33rd Legislative District</h3>
<p>The most tenured member of the state Senate, Sen. Karen Keiser, announced her retirement last year, after serving the 33rd Legislative District for 29 years. Her retirement came mid-term and Tina Orwall, a longtime member of the House representing the same district, was appointed to fill the Senate seat. Sen. Orwall will run for election in November to retain the Senate seat and finish out the legislative term. This domino effect created an open House seat in the 33rd District and Rep. Edwin Obras was appointed and will also face an election in November to retain his seat. Both Sen. Orwall and Rep. Obras sit on their chamber's respective health care committees.</p>
<h3>34th Legislative District</h3>
<p>Following Gov. Ferguson's election, he selected then-state Sen. Joe Nguyen of the 34th Legislative District to serve as the director of the Washington State Department of Commerce. Then-Rep. Emily Alvarado was selected to his Senate seat and Brianna Thomas was appointed to the resulting vacated House seat. Both Alvarado and Thomas are expected to run in November to retain their positions. The 34th District encompasses West Seattle, Vashon Island, and parts of Burien and White Center.</p>
<h3>41st Legislative District</h3>
<p>In another open seat created due to Gov. Ferguson's appointments, then-Rep. Tana Senn was selected to lead the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families. The King County Council appointed Bellevue City Councilmember Janice Zahn, who will run to retain the seat. The 41st District includes Mercer Island and the surrounding cities and is reliably Democratic.</p>
<h3>48th Legislative District</h3>
<p>Patty Kuderer was elected to statewide office, becoming the state's insurance commissioner and leaving an open Senate seat. Then-state Rep. Vandana Slatter was selected to fill the Senate position and Osman Salahuddin was appointed to the House seat. Sen. Slatter sits on the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee and Rep. Salahuddin worked as a researcher at Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center and UW Medicine. Both legislators are expected to run to retain their respective seats, and current 48th District Rep. Amy Walen has signaled she will also run for the Senate seat against her former seatmate.</p>
<h3>Stay engaged-join the WAMPAC Diamond Club</h3>
<p>Your engagement on campaigns makes a difference as we work year-round to strengthen the voice of medicine in politics. A new WAMPAC Diamond Club membership cycle has begun, and our effectiveness depends on the support of physicians like you! Diamond Club members receive special recognition at WSMA events, insider election updates, opportunities to connect with elected officials, and more. Invest in the Diamond Club today by visiting the WAMPAC webpage at <a href="[@]wampac">wsma.org/wampac</a>. If you have questions about WAMPAC's campaign activities, contact WAMPAC Director Alex Wehinger at <a href="mailto:alex@wsma.org">alex@wsma.org</a>.</p>
</div> | 5/15/2025 2:54:57 PM | 5/16/2025 12:00:00 AM |
| wsma-opposes-house-republican-proposed-cuts-to-medicaid | WSMA Opposes House Republican Proposed Cuts to Medicaid | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/advocacy-report/2025/may-16/wsma-opposes-house-republican-proposed-cuts-to-medicaid | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/advocacy-report/2025/may/istock-1442379947-for-web-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="female doctor showing a tablet screen to a mom and daughter" /></div>
<h5>May 16, 2025</h5>
<h2>WSMA Opposes House Republican Proposed Cuts to Medicaid </h2>
<p><em>Send a message to your member of Congress today</em> </p>
<p>Earlier this week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved significant reforms to the Medicaid program as part of a broader Republican budget package. The reforms include massive cuts to the Medicaid program that would have a severe impact on patient care in Washington state. </p>
<p>The WSMA continues outreach to all members of Washington's congressional delegation. On Tuesday, we sent letters to the two Republican members, <a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/News and Publications/newsletters/2025/wsma-letter-to-rep-newhouse-05132025.pdf]" target="_blank">Rep. Dan Newhouse</a>&nbsp;and <a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/News and Publications/newsletters/2025/wsma-letter-to-rep-baumgartner-05132025.pdf]" target="_blank">Rep. Michael Baumgartner</a>, urging them to not support any bill that would significantly reduce Medicaid funding to our state. In the letter, WSMA President John Bramhall, MD, PhD, says:</p>
<p>"Nationwide, the current proposal would impose $715 billion in cuts to health care and result in more than 13.7 million Medicaid and Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollees losing coverage. While the legislation stops short of imposing per-capita caps on Medicaid, it includes equally damaging restrictions on longstanding Medicaid financing mechanisms. </p>
<p>These proposed changes would have severe consequences for Washington state, intensifying our existing budget challenges and destabilizing the health care system-particularly in rural areas where Medicaid is a primary coverage source. Physician reimbursement already falls short of the cost of care, and further reductions or limitations on payments would deprive frontline physicians of critical resources, reduce access to care, and worsen health outcomes across our communities." </p>
<p>Provisions include: </p>
<ul>
<li>Restrictions and moratoriums that would eliminate provider and managed care taxes thereby significantly decreasing Medicaid program funding in Washington state and jeopardizing approval of the WSMA's Medicaid Access Program. </li>
<li>Reducing federal matching funds for the 14 states that cover undocumented residents with state-only funding, including Washington. </li>
<li>Defunding of non-profits that provide family planning and reproductive health care. </li>
<li>To review and monitor these and additional provisions as the legislation moves its way through Congress, view the KFF <a href="https://www.kff.org/tracking-the-medicaid-provisions-in-the-2025-budget-bill/">Medicaid Provisions in the 2025 Reconciliation Bill tracker</a>. </li>
</ul>
<p>The bill now advances to the House Budget Committee. The full House of Representatives is expected to pass the measure by Memorial Day, after which the Senate will consider. Congress' goal is to deliver the bill to President Donald Trump by July 4. </p>
<p>Take time right now to <a href="https://takeaction.wsma.org/no-federal-medicaid-cuts/?_zs=Pimae1&amp;_zl=Wj6DA">send your member of Congress a message</a>, urging them to vote against cuts to the Medicaid program. </p>
<h3>Join our national patient texting campaign </h3>
<p>The WSMA has joined the Protect Our Healthcare Coalition in launching a nationwide peer-to-peer Medicaid texting campaign and we need volunteers. </p>
<p>Using a secure platform called RumbleUp, you'll send prewritten, personalized messages to voters in key congressional districts urging them to call their members of Congress to oppose Medicaid cuts. All texts are sent through RumbleUp's secure platform; your personal phone number is never used. </p>
<p><a href="https://wsma.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0xMTk3NDAwNSZwPTEmdT0xMDc4MTA4MzYwJmxpPTExNTcyNDEyNw/index.html">Learn more and volunteer today</a>. </p>
<h3>A small bright spot </h3>
<p>
While the WSMA strongly opposes the proposed Medicaid cuts, we recognize one positive provision in the proposed budget package: an update to Medicare physician payments tied to the Medicare Economic Index. This update, long advocated by the WSMA and physician groups nationwide, would better align payment rates with practice growth costs, offering much needed stability to physicians treating Medicare patients. If finalized, 2026 would see a conversion factor based on 75% of the Medicare Economic Index and 10% in subsequent years. </p>
</div> | 5/15/2025 3:48:04 PM | 5/16/2025 12:00:00 AM |
| help-protect-medicaid-join-our-national-texting-campaign | Help Protect Medicaid. Join Our National Texting Campaign. | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2025/may-9/help-protect-medicaid-join-our-national-texting-campaign | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2025/may/protect-our-healthcare-image.png" class="pull-right" alt="Protect Our Health Care graphic" /></div>
<h5>May 9, 2025</h5>
<!-- **************************NEW ARTICLE****************************** -->
<h2>Help Protect Medicaid. Join Our National Texting Campaign.</h2>
<p>The WSMA has joined the Protect Our Healthcare Coalition in launching a nationwide peer-to-peer texting campaign to oppose federal Medicaid cuts-and we need volunteers.</p>
<p>Using a secure platform called RumbleUp, you'll be able to send prewritten, personalized messages directly to voters in key congressional districts. These messages will go out on behalf of local doctors and health care professionals urging recipients to call their members of Congress and demand they oppose Medicaid cuts. All texts are sent through RumbleUp's secure platform. Your personal phone number or messaging service is never used to contact voters.</p>
<p>How to volunteer for the texting campaign: Watch this <a href="http://protectourhealthcare.org/welcome">90-second welcome video</a>, then review <a href="http://www.protectourhealthcare.org/texting-program">full instructions on how to join the text program as a volunteer</a>. Contact the volunteer coordinators directly at <a href="mailto:info@protectourhealthcare.org">info@protectourhealthcare.org</a> with any questions or concerns. Thank you for volunteering.</p>
<h3>Also: Keep sharing your patient stories with congressional representatives </h3>
<p>While the WSMA works with our coalition partners to stand up our patient texting campaign, we need physicians, practitioners, and practice staff to keep sending messages to their federal lawmakers. The WSMA is sharing compelling data around the impact of such cuts, but it's often human-centered stories that move lawmakers-and that's where you come in. Please continue sending your members of Congress stories of how patients in your practice and community would be impacted by federal Medicaid funding cuts. <a href="https://takeaction.wsma.org/oppose-federal-medicaid-cuts/">Use our grassroots advocacy platform to send your stories</a>.</p>
</div> | 5/6/2025 2:41:14 PM | 5/9/2025 12:00:00 AM |
| may-is-mental-health-awareness-month-3-concrete-actions-to-take | May Is Mental Health Awareness Month: 3 Concrete Actions to Take | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2025/may-9/may-is-mental-health-awareness-month-3-concrete-actions-to-take | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2025/may/thriving-in-medicine-report-cover-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="Thriving in Medicine report cover" /></div>
<h5>May 9, 2025</h5>
<h2>May Is Mental Health Awareness Month: 3 Concrete Actions to Take </h2>
<p>While physician suicide was a crisis long before COVID-19, the demands of the pandemic and from the ongoing "long tail" of the pandemic have created an even greater sense of urgency to better support physicians' mental health and well-being. This May, let <a href="https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Awareness-Month/">National Mental Health Month</a> be a reminder to take action, raise your voice, and help change the conversation around mental health. Use the following news updates, resources, and action items to help us spread the word.</p>
<h3>Advocating at the system level so that we're all "Thriving in Medicine" </h3>
<p>Acting on results from a 2024 survey revealing a need for more adaptable wellness programs, the WSMA Foundation's wellness committee published "<a href="[@]wsma/foundation/physician-and-practitioner-wellness/thriving-in-medicine-wellness-report/wsma/foundation/physician-and-practitioner-wellness/thriving-in-medicine-cultivating-choice-competence-and-community.aspx?hkey=3ee3843c-a851-4a23-b464-c53890175d12">Thriving in Medicine: Cultivating Choice, Competence, and Community</a>," a set of criteria for medical organizations, leaders, physicians, and practitioners to assess and implement positive changes within their systems or settings. The report is a guide to start, or to reevaluate and renew, processes to allow physicians and practitioners to thrive, based on three takeaways: </p>
<ul>
<li>Productive and positive change requires listening to, involving, and empowering physicians and practitioners.</li>
<li>Productive and positive change takes dedicated resources and support.</li>
<li>Wellness programs that are supported with time and financial support are viewed most positively, have better outcomes, and foster a greater sense that leadership supports joy in medicine.</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;"><strong>Action alert #1:</strong> Download and review "<a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/foundation/physician-and-practitioner-wellness/thriving-in-medicine/wsma-thriving-in-medicine-report.pdf]">Thriving in Medicine: Cultivating Choice, Competence, and Community.</a>" Use it as a resource, regardless of your leadership position. Physicians and physician assistants not in leadership roles can introduce the report to their leadership team.</p>
<h3>House Bill 1718: Making wellness programs safer and more accessible </h3>
<p>Starting this summer, wellness programs will be more accessible for Washington physicians and physician assistants, due to the passage of WSMA priority legislation <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=1718&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false">House Bill 1718</a>. The result of a multiyear campaign in partnership with the Washington Chapter of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, HB 1718 establishes confidentiality protections for physician and physician assistant well-being programs-the lack of which has been frequently cited by physicians and practitioners as a barrier to access. Championed by bill sponsor Rep. My-Linh Thai (D-Bellevue), HB 1718 passed both the House and Senate unanimously this year and goes into effect July 26, 2025.</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;"><strong>Action alert #2:</strong> <a href="[@]wsma/education/upcoming_webinars/wsma/education/upcoming_webinars/Upcoming_Webinars.aspx?hkey=b760d6bd-1833-412d-b681-babf251792a8">Register for a free lunchtime wellness webinar</a> this Monday, May 12, where you'll hear from physician wellness experts on why confidentiality protections for wellness programs are important, along with credentialing reform and other wellness advocacy initiatives. Washington Physicians Health Program Executive Medical Director Chris Bundy, MD, MPH, and Stef Simmons, MD, an emergency department physician and vice president of clinician engagement for Envision Healthcare's national medical group, will lead the robust discussion. This activity has been approved for <em>AMA PRA Category 1 Creditâ„¢</em>.</p>
<h3>Catch up on episodes from our wellness podcast and earn CME </h3>
<p>The WSMA Foundation Physician and Practitioner Wellness Podcast features discussions on clinician wellness from a variety of perspectives drawing on evidence-based work on the topic. Each episode is moderated by a member of the WSMA Foundation's <a href="[@]wsma/foundation/physician-and-practitioner-wellness/thriving-in-medicine-wellness-report/wsma/foundation/physician-and-practitioner-wellness/thriving-in-medicine-cultivating-choice-competence-and-community.aspx?hkey=3ee3843c-a851-4a23-b464-c53890175d12">wellness committee</a>. These episodes are newly available: </p>
<p><a href="http://www.wsma.org/wsma/foundation/physician-and-practitioner-wellness/wellness-podcast-episodes/episode-7-the-power-of-our-mindset-and-perspectives.aspx">Episode 7: The Power of Our Mindset and Perspectives</a> - An enlightening conversation with Tamara Chang, MD, award-winning author, leadership coach, and co-founder of Pink Coat, MD, about defining perspective and mindset, exploring different types of perspectives and mindsets, understanding their impact on outcomes, and integrating the power of these concepts into your work and life as a physician or practitioner.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.wsma.org/wsma/foundation/physician-and-practitioner-wellness/wellness-podcast-episodes/episode-8-coaching-programs-to-improve-wellness.aspx">Episode 8: Coaching Programs to Improve Wellness</a> - A discussion with Gregg Miller MD, chief medical officer at Vituity, on how to apply a medical group's best practices around wellness to your organization and develop tailored coaching programs for physicians and practitioners.</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;"><strong>Action alert #3:</strong> This month, commit to listening or watching at least one wellness podcast episode to find out what you're missing. The podcast is free, open to all practitioner types, and offers CME. Access the episodes at the links provided or from our podcast channel, WSMA Podcasts, available through <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wsma-podcasts/id1702920307">Apple Podcasts</a> and <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0PBMBLgHr6e0X3OaMjyJON?si=af140842c00c430c">Spotify</a>. Each podcast is approved for <em>AMA PRA Category 1 Creditâ„¢</em>.</p>
<p>Thank you for taking three actions this month in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. For all of our wellness resources, visit the WSMA Foundation's <a href="[@]wsma/foundation/physician-and-practitioner-wellness/wsma/foundation/physician-and-practitioner-wellness/physician-and-practitioner-wellness.aspx?hkey=3d237805-2558-404b-99b9-1108bb8a0292">Physician and Practitioner Wellness</a> webpages.</p>
</div> | 5/6/2025 2:41:17 PM | 5/9/2025 12:00:00 AM |
| 2025-legislative-landscape-other-health-policies-passed | 2025 Legislative Landscape: Other Health Policies Passed | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/advocacy-report/2025/april-28/2025-legislative-landscape-other-health-policies-passed | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/advocacy-report/2025/april/steth-warm-background-645x425.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="stethoscope on a cloth" /></div>
<h5>April 28, 2025</h5>
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<h2>2025 Legislative Landscape: Other Health Policies Passed</h2>
<p>More than 2,000 bills were introduced during the 2025 session, with over 400 of them approved by the Washington State Legislature. The WSMA tracked and engaged on over 400 bills, with topics ranging from practice of medicine, public health, reproductive health care, insurance coverage, and beyond. Led by our physician leadership tables at the WSMA executive committee, board of trustees, and legislative steering committee, our overarching principle in legislative advocacy is to promote patient access to care and ensure physicians can practice medicine in a manner that's appropriate and financially viable. </p>
<p>Ensuring access to reproductive health is a continuing priority of the WSMA and legislative Democrats, with another set of relevant bills approved in the 2025 session. Legislation was adopted to build on the state's "shield law" to protect physicians and other health care practitioners providing reproductive health care and gender-affirming services, as well as patients receiving the care (<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=5632&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false">SB 5632</a>). Another bill ensures commercial insurance coverage for a 12-month supply of contraceptive drugs (<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=5498&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false">SB 5498</a>). And two bills were passed to update outmoded state law related to a pregnancy provision in the state's model form for advance health care directives (<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=1215&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false">HB 1215</a>) and to remove the state statute of the crime of concealing a birth (<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=5093&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false">SB 5093</a>). </p>
<p>The cost of health care was front of mind for many legislators. A bill was adopted this year to establish reimbursement rate caps for facility payments to hospitals for the care of individuals enrolled in state employee health plans (<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=5083&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false">SB 5083</a>). The WSMA was neutral on the bill after an amendment was adopted to exempt professional service reimbursement under the bill, though in future years the issue is likely to be revisited and rate caps will be proposed to be expanded. And the WSMA supported a bill to prohibit medical debt from being included in credit reports after securing amendments to ensure there would not be undue administrative burden imposed on practices (<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=5480&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false">SB 5480</a>). </p>
<p>As it has been in recent years, the business of medicine was a point of focus in the 2025 session with bills proposed to limit the ability of physician groups and other entities to enter into mergers and acquisitions (<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=1881&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false">HB 1881</a>), impose new corporate practice of medicine requirements (<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5387&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=False">SB 5387</a>), and establish a registry of all health care entities in the state (<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=1686&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false">HB 1686</a>). </p>
<p>The registry bill was approved as a study-directing the Department of Health and other state agencies to make recommendations on how it could be implemented-but the other bills failed to make it through the legislative process. All are likely to return in 2026 and the WSMA will advocate that the Legislature's interest in preserving independent practice should be reflected not only in policy bills, but also in tax policy. It's neither reasonable nor realistic for lawmakers to continue to make it more difficult for physician organizations to operate while also protesting consolidation and diminishing access to care in communities. </p>
</div> | 4/28/2025 2:16:04 PM | 4/28/2025 12:00:00 AM |
| 2025-session-has-adjourned-whats-next | 2025 Session Has Adjourned: What's Next? | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/advocacy-report/2025/april-28/2025-session-has-adjourned-whats-next | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/advocacy-report/2025/april/ls-2025-01-white-coats-008-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="physicians in white coats at the capitol" /></div>
<h5>April 28, 2025</h5>
<h2>2025 Session Has Adjourned: What's Next? </h2>
<p>The Washington State Legislature runs on a two-year cycle, and any bill not adopted in 2025 will automatically be reintroduced when the 2026 legislative session begins next January. This means that over 1,500 bills will be on the table on day one of session next year, with another 1,500 or so likely to be introduced during the course of the 60-day session. </p>
<p>Of course, that's assuming that the Legislature doesn't convene in a special session in the meantime. A number of factors could bring lawmakers back to town in the coming months, most notably the cuts to Medicaid and other areas of the federal government that are being threatened by President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans. </p>
<p>Speaking of the federal government, a point of focus for the WSMA this interim will be working with the governor's office and the state Health Care Authority to pursue approval of the Medicaid Access Program from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Similar programs have been approved by CMS in recent years, including during the first Trump administration. </p>
<p>Throughout our advocacy for the bill, we acknowledged there is a possibility the program will not be approved. But particularly given the state's budget challenges, this represented the best opportunity we have to increase investments in Medicaid reimbursement. We designed the program to comply with federal regulations and are hopeful it will be approved in the interest of promoting access to care for Medicaid enrollees and enacting long-overdue rate increases for the physician community. </p>
<p>And while it seems like the last election was just yesterday, with the adjournment of session it's campaign season again. Several state legislators were appointed to office since the 2024 election, requiring them to run for special election in November to retain their seats. Some will be high-profile contests that could have an impact on the ideological and partisan make-up of the Legislature. Through WAMPAC, the WSMA's nonpartisan campaign arm, we'll be working to connect with the candidates and support those whose priorities align with the house of medicine. </p>
<p>Our advocacy work never stops at the WSMA, and we can't do it without you. Your yearly investment in the WSMA is what powers our work on behalf of the profession and your patients. Thank you to the hundreds of physicians and who took time in recent months to join us at the WSMA Legislative Summit, testify before the Legislature, and send messages to your lawmakers. We're grateful to you and we want to know what the WSMA can be doing to be helpful to you, your practice, and your patients. If you have suggestions for the WSMA's 2026 legislative agenda, contact WSMA Government Affairs Director <a href="mailto:sean@wsma.org">Sean Graham</a>. </p>
</div> | 4/28/2025 2:15:05 PM | 4/28/2025 12:00:00 AM |
| final-2025-2027-state-budget-approved | Final 2025-2027 State Budget Approved | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/advocacy-report/2025/april-28/final-2025-2027-state-budget-approved | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/advocacy-report/2025/april/ls-2025-01-685-medium.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="capitol building" /></div>
<h5>April 28, 2025</h5>
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<h2>Final 2025-2027 State Budget Approved </h2>
<p>The <a href="[@]Shared_Content/News/advocacy-report/2025/april-28/tax-increase-on-physician-groups-included-in-2025-session-revenue-package.aspx">revenue package</a>&nbsp;contributed to a $78 billion state operating budget adopted by legislators Sunday afternoon, increasing state spending in the coming two-year fiscal cycle by around $5 billion. While there were cuts to health care programs and other areas of the budget, the revenue increases obviated the type of deep programmatic reductions that the state saw during the great recession. Many Democrats in Olympia recalled the legacy of those cuts and were committed to not repeating it.</p>
<p>Bright spots in the budget include funding largely being retained for WSMA-supported programs such as foundational public health services ($300 million), insurance coverage for undocumented residents of the state ($142 million), health insurance premium assistance for exchange enrollees ($85 million), and numerous appropriations to address the opioid epidemic and increase access to medication for opioid use disorder.</p>
<p>But cuts to health care programs were not completely avoided. State payments to Medicaid managed care organizations were cut by 1% for both physical health care services ($106 million savings) and behavioral health capitation ($27.7 million savings). Medicaid reimbursement for laboratory services was reduced to 80% of the corresponding Medicare rates ($33.5 million savings). And funding was trimmed for the state's health professional student loan repayment program ($2.6 million savings), among other cuts to programs supporting physical and behavioral health care.</p>
<p>The state budget shortfall was driven by not only tapering anticipated revenues, but also increased costs associated with existing state programs due to heightened enrollment and per-capita costs. The bulk of the new spending in the budget went towards K-12 education, and especially special education.</p>
<p>Another cost driver was the collective bargaining agreements negotiated last year by former Gov. Jay Inslee. There was discussion during session of rejecting the agreements and sending negotiators back to the bargaining table, as well as furloughs or pay cuts for state employees. But the final budget fully funded the collective bargaining agreements and did not include pay cuts for state workers.</p>
<p>Through the course of session, Gov. Bob Ferguson largely stayed outside the fray of budget negotiations. He offered suggestions for budget reductions and expressed opposition to the Legislature relying on revenue to the extent that was initially proposed. But he consistently avoided expressing support for specific tax increases and issued a statement following adjournment of session saying that he would be carefully reviewing the budget and tax bills in the coming weeks before taking action on them.</p>
</div> | 4/28/2025 2:16:10 PM | 4/28/2025 12:00:00 AM |
| major-victories-for-wsma-2025-priority-legislation | Major Victories for WSMA 2025 Priority Legislation | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/advocacy-report/2025/april-28/major-victories-for-wsma-2025-priority-legislation | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/advocacy-report/2025/april/istock-1442379947-for-web-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="physician with mother and child" /></div>
<h5>April 28, 2025</h5>
<h2>Major Victories for WSMA 2025 Priority Legislation </h2>
<p>On the policy front, the physician community saw numerous important wins in the 2025 legislative session and we were successful in defeating all bills that we opposed. At the top of the list of accomplishments is the passage of <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=1392&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false">House Bill 1392</a>, the WSMA's Medicaid Access Program legislation to increase reimbursements for all services provided by physicians, physician assistants, and other advance practice providers to at least Medicare levels and index to inflation, representing a multiyear advocacy effort on the part of the physician community.</p>
<p>HB 1392 proposes the establishment of a covered lives assessment on insurance carriers to leverage around $400 million per year for Medicaid rate increases across primary and specialty care. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Nicole Macri (D-Capitol Hill) and approved by the House and Senate on largely party-line votes, with Democratic support winning out over Republican objections. As of this writing, the bill is pending final approval from Gov. Bob Ferguson.</p>
<p>The vast majority of the funding for the Medicaid Access Program comes from the federal government, bypassing the state budget morass but introducing a new variable: the need for federal approval for the program to be implemented. In the coming months the WSMA will be working with the governor's office and the state Health Care Authority to seek approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for the program. Assuming the program is approved, the assessment on insurance carriers will commence on Jan. 1 of the year following CMS approval and rate increases will begin Jan. 1 of the year after that.</p>
<p>Ensuring confidentiality for physician and physician assistant well-being programs was another bill that required multiple sessions to work through the legislative process. <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=1718&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false">House Bill 1718</a> by Rep. My-Linh Thai (D-Bellevue) was developed by the WSMA and the Washington Chapter of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to promote the use of physician well-being programs (defined in the new law as programs to address the career fatigue and well-being of physicians and physician assistants) as a tool to address burnout and improve workforce retention. Extensive negotiations with the state's trial bar resulted in an agreed-upon bill that was approved unanimously by the Legislature and signed into law on April 21.  </p>
<p>Promoting a strong public health system and access to vaccines is a perennial priority of the WSMA that has taken on newfound importance with mounting headwinds from the federal government. <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=1531&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false">House Bill 1531</a> by Rep. Dan Bronoske (D-University Place), the new chair of the House Health Care and Wellness Committee, ensures that at the state and local levels public health responses to communicable disease and communications on vaccines will continue to be guided by the best available science. The bill was spearheaded by the public health community, approved primarily with Democratic support, and signed into law by Gov. Ferguson on April 21. In addition to the Democrats who supported HB 1531 and the WSMA's Medicaid Access Program legislation, the WSMA wants to express our thanks to Sen. Paul Harris (R-Vancouver) who was the lone legislative Republican to vote for both bills.  </p>
<p>One WSMA priority bill that did not make it through the process this year was <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=5395&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false">Senate Bill 5395</a> by Sen. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines) which sought to reform the prior authorization process. The bill was developed in partnership with the Washington State Hospital Association and Proliance Surgeons and would have imposed new restrictions on insurance carriers' use of artificial intelligence to deny prior authorizations, limited the frequency with which carriers may adjust their prior authorization policies, and clarified a state prohibition on retroactive denials of prior authorizations. SB 5395 saw bipartisan support, but the bill died due to its anticipated cost to the state. The WSMA will work with our partners on the legislation through the interim in anticipation of reintroduction and hopeful passage in the 2026 session.</p>
<p>Defending against bad bills in Olympia is just as important as passing good policy, and the WSMA was successful in defeating all policy bills we opposed during the 2025 session. Chief among them was a host of scope of practice bills, where the WSMA advocates that any scope increase must make adequate provision for education and training to ensure patient safety. The WSMA worked to defeat legislation granting prescriptive authority to psychologists (<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=5112&amp;Chamber=Senate&amp;Year=2025">SB 5112</a>), authorizing independent practice authority for pharmacists (<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1520&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false">HB 1520</a>), and broadening the scope of naturopaths (<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1888&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false">HB 1888</a>). And for the seventh consecutive session, the WSMA successfully opposed legislation to mandate advanced practice practitioners be reimbursed at the same rate as physicians (<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=1430&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false">HB 1430</a>).</p>
<p>A trio of bills related to international medical graduates was considered this session. One was approved by the Legislature to update parameters of the clinical experience license that IMGs can work under to gain experience to qualify for a residency (<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?billnumber=5118&amp;year=2025">SB 5118</a>). The WSMA was able to secure amendments and was supportive of the bill as it was adopted. A bill the WSMA supported to create residency slots for IMGs died due to lack of funding capacity (<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?billnumber=5226&amp;year=2025">SB 5226</a>). And a bill we opposed to create an "apprenticeship" pathway to full, unrestricted practice was not adopted (<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?billnumber=5185&amp;year=2025">SB 5185</a>). More discussion is expected on this topic over the coming months, as national groups consider recommendations for pathways to licensure for IMGs, and in the next legislative session.</p>
</div> | 4/28/2025 2:16:13 PM | 4/28/2025 12:00:00 AM |
| tax-increase-on-physician-groups-included-in-2025-session-revenue-package | Tax Increase on Physician Groups Included in 2025 Session Revenue Package | Advocacy | Shared_Content/News/advocacy-report/2025/april-28/tax-increase-on-physician-groups-included-in-2025-session-revenue-package | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/advocacy-report/2025/april/stethoscope-dollar-sign-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="stethoscope in the shape of a dollar sign" /></div>
<h5>April 28, 2025</h5>
<h2>Tax Increase on Physician Groups Included in 2025 Session Revenue Package </h2>
<p>The state budget shortfall hung like a cloud over Olympia all session, dimming the prospects of new programs and dooming the fate of most bills that carried a cost. State revenues are projected to increase in the coming years, but not at the pace of the recent run-up in recent state spending. The result was an estimated two-year budget shortfall of around $15 billion.</p>
<p>From the beginning of session, majority-party Democrats made clear their intention to bridge the budget shortfall primarily with new revenue, rather than spending cuts. A parade of tax proposals was considered over the course of session, including a tax on the state's wealthiest individuals and a payroll tax that would have impacted most physician organizations. The WSMA opposed the payroll tax as it would have had a significant impact on the physician community and Gov. Bob Ferguson expressed skepticism toward both proposals on the grounds they were legally unproven revenue options, leading to the proposals not being enacted.</p>
<p>To balance the state budget, legislators pivoted primarily to a well-known mechanism, the state's business and occupation tax. <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=2081&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false">House Bill 2081</a> enacts B&amp;O tax increases for most industries as well as a surcharge on companies that gross over $250 million annually. For the physician community this means all physician organizations that gross more than $5 million annually will see their B&amp;O tax rate hiked by 20%, from 1.75% to 2.1%, and those that gross more than $250 million annually are subject to an additional 0.5% surcharge.</p>
<p>Based on data from the state's Department of Revenue, the WSMA estimates the impact of the tax increases on physician organizations to be around $50 million per year. This will have the effect of decreasing patient access to care, increasing the cost of care, and fueling more consolidation into larger health systems, all running counter to what we consistently hear as concerns of legislators.</p>
<p>Acknowledging the difficult decisions facing Democratic budget writers, the WSMA strongly opposed these tax increases on physician organizations. In public testimony, private meetings with legislators, and in the more than 1,000 messages WSMA members sent to their lawmakers, we stressed that these tax increases on physician organizations could have a similar negative impact on access to care as the budget cuts legislators were trying to avoid by raising revenue.</p>
<p>In all, the revenue package adopted this session is estimated to raise taxes by around $9 billion over the next four years. Other revenue increases were adopted to extend sales tax to more services and allow counties to increase property tax. The WSMA supported a proposal to increase the state's cigarette tax and while the bill received serious consideration, the proposal died in the House of Representatives.</p>
</div> | 4/28/2025 2:16:08 PM | 4/28/2025 12:00:00 AM |