| everett-anesthesiologist-inaugurated-as-2025-2026-wsma-president | Everett Anesthesiologist Inaugurated as 2025-2026 WSMA President | Press_Release | Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2025/everett-anesthesiologist-inaugurated-as-2025-2026-wsma-president | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h2>Everett Anesthesiologist Inaugurated as 2025-2026 WSMA President</h2>
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SEATTLE (Sept. 22, 2025) - Everett anesthesiologist <strong>Bridget Bush, MD, FASA</strong>, was inaugurated as president of the Washington State Medical Association at its annual House of Delegates meeting on Saturday, Sept. 20 at The Westin Bellevue. The WSMA represents approximately 13,500 physicians, resident physicians, physician assistants, and medical students throughout Washington state.
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Dr. Bush earned her doctor of medicine degree in 2006 from Tulane School of Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana, after receiving a military scholarship from the Health Professions Scholarship Program. After medical school, Dr. Bush served out her military commitment in the United States Navy as a flight surgeon, with deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq as the sole medical provider for her squadron. In 2014, she completed a residency in anesthesiology at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle. After residency, Dr. Bush served as a practicing anesthesiologist at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett and at Island Health in Anacortes before transitioning in 2022 to Optum Care Washington, formerly The Everett Clinic, her current employer.
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In addition to her role as a practicing anesthesiologist, Dr. Bush serves on the clinical faculty at Washington State University's Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine and as a mentor through the WSU chapter of the American Medical Women's Association.
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Dr. Bush is past president (2021-2023) of the Washington State Society of Anesthesiologists, serves as the alternate director for Washington state for the American Society of Anesthesiologist, and is a member of the Snohomish County Medical Society, among other roles in organized medicine.
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The following physicians were also elected as officers at the meeting: <strong>Matt Hollon, MD, MPH, MACP</strong>, Spokane internist, president-elect; <strong>Bindu Nayak, MD</strong>, Wenatchee endocrinologist, vice president; and, <strong>John Scott, MD</strong>, Seattle infectious disease physician, secretary-treasurer. The fifth officer of WSMA's executive committee is Past President <strong>John Bramhall, MD, PhD</strong>, Seattle anesthesiologist, who will serve as committee chair.
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In addition to several WSMA members who were reelected to the board of trustees, newly elected to the board for two-year terms were <strong>Hans Cassagnol, MD, MMM</strong>, Tacoma OB-GYN; <strong>Herbie Duber, MD, MPH</strong>, Seattle emergency medicine physician; <strong>Stephanie Fosback, MD</strong>, Pullman internist; <strong>Rebecca Kulgren, MD</strong>, Seattle OB-GYN; <strong>Keren Rosenblum, MD</strong>, Vancouver OB-GYN; <strong>Sheree Sharpe, MD</strong>, Tacoma family physician; and <strong>Kristen Wyrick, MD</strong>, Marysville family physician. <strong>Kat Jong, MD</strong>, Friday Harbor psychiatrist; <strong>Brett Collins, MD</strong>, Seattle internist; and <strong>Evan Thomas</strong>, medical student at Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, were elected to serve as young physician, resident, and student trustees respectively, each for a one-year term.
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Visit the WSMA website for a <a href="https://wsma.org/wsma/about_us/leadership/board_of_trustees/wsma/about/leadership/board_of_trustees/board_of_trustees.aspx?hkey=0abc484b-c165-4fb1-90b5-1f72370b18d2">full roster of WSMA board of trustees members</a>.
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<p><a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/News and Publications/Press Room/Venticinque_250919_1922-1_Bridget-Bush-official.jpg]">Download a high-resolution portrait of WSMA President Bridget Bush, MD, FASA</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>
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<p>
<strong>About the Washington State Medical Association </strong><br />
The Washington State Medical Association represents approximately 13,500 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 135 years. Our vision is to make Washington state the best place to practice medicine and receive care.
</p>
</div> | 10/14/2025 1:45:08 AM | 9/19/2025 2:23:43 PM | 9/22/2025 12:00:00 AM |
| wsmas-2025-apple-awards-recognize-member-physicians-others-for-service-to-patients-and-profession | WSMA's 2025 Apple Awards Recognize Member Physicians, Others for Service to Patients and Profession | Press_Release | Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2025/wsmas-2025-apple-awards-recognize-member-physicians-others-for-service-to-patients-and-profession | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h2>WSMA's 2025 Apple Awards Recognize Member Physicians, Others for Service to Patients and Profession</h2>
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<em>Sixth annual awards program honors recipients during the association's annual House of Delegates meeting in Bellevue this September.</em>
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SEATTLE (Sept. 22, 2025) - Three physicians and two health care organizations have been recognized by the Washington State Medical Association, the state's largest physician professional association, for extraordinary leadership, service, and contributions to medicine and patient safety. These recognitions were part of the WSMA Apple Awards program, named after a symbol of good health and one of Washington state's most popular agricultural exports, presented during the opening session of the 2025 Annual Meeting of the WSMA House of Delegates on Saturday, Sept. 20 at The Westin Bellevue.
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Two WSMA physician members received 2025 Grassroots Advocate Awards, honoring physicians for their advocacy efforts on behalf of WSMA's legislative priorities: <strong>Tamara Chang, MD</strong>, medical director of physician and advanced practice practitioner wellness for MultiCare Health System and a pediatric oncologist at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital in Tacoma, for her efforts supporting the passage of House Bill 1718 during the 2025 legislative session to ensure confidentiality protections for physician wellness programs; and <strong>Andrea Kalus, MD</strong>, a dermatologist at the University of Washington Medical Center-Roosevelt and a UW associate professor of dermatology and medicine, for her efforts helping the WSMA to oppose inappropriate scope of practice legislation, supporting the Medicaid Access Program in House Bill 1392, and supporting the confidentiality protections in physician wellness programs in House Bill 1718.
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The 2025 Community Advocate Award was presented to the <strong>Washington Serious Illness Care Coalition</strong>, an all-volunteer multidisciplinary committee within the WSMA dedicated to helping patients, physicians, clinicians, and caregivers improve the way we discuss, prepare for, and treat serious illness. Starting life as the Washington End-of-Life Consensus Coalition in the 1990s, for nearly three decades the WSICC helped nurture the field of advanced care planning in Washington state, a mission that encompassed both the Portable Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment and the WSMA advance directive, helping to improve their utilization through professional education and fine-tuning of these critical forms. The work of these passionate advocates over the years has helped to ensure that Washingtonians facing serious illness today are treated with dignity, respect, and have a voice in their care.
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Named after the late WSMA Past President William O. Robertson, MD, a champion for patient safety, risk management, and quality improvement, the 2025 William O. Robertson, MD, Patient Safety Award, which recognizes innovative patient safety initiatives in the ambulatory care setting, was awarded to <strong>UW Medicine Primary Care</strong>. The ambulatory primary care network was recognized for its efforts to implement QI-protected virtual monthly morbidity and mortality conferences for cases in the clinical network. By creating a formal CME structure for the "M&amp;Ms," they created a culture that encourages a learning environment around safety issues.
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Finally, the 2025 President's Unsung Hero Award, which recognizes the WSMA member who contributes extraordinary service to the profession and our community, was presented to <strong>Frank Senecal, MD</strong>, an oncologist and former chief of staff at St. Joseph's and St. Francis Hospitals, chair of the department of medicine at St. Francis Hospital, and medical director of Hospice of Tacoma. For nearly 40 years, Dr. Senecal has served the Tacoma community with dedication, quietly transforming cancer care in the South Sound region through his compassionate patient care, groundbreaking research initiatives, and steadfast commitment to medical excellence. In 1985, he founded Hematology Oncology Northwest, which later evolved into Northwest Medical Specialties, nurturing the group into a highly respected oncology practice. Dr. Senecal also established the South Sound CARE Foundation, an organization that has given local cancer patients access to life-changing clinical trials that would otherwise be unavailable in the region. His lifelong contributions to medicine and his selfless service to patients, colleagues, and the broader community make him an outstanding and truly deserving recipient of the President's Unsung Hero Award.
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<p>Download high-resolution photos of the honorees receiving their awards at the 2025 WSMA Annual Meeting as presented by WSMA 2024-2025 President John Bramhall, MD, PhD:</p>
<p><a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/News and Publications/Press Room/Venticinque_250920_6702-1_Kalus.jpg]">Andrea Kalus, MD, receiving her 2025 Grassroots Advocate Award</a>.</p>
<p><a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/News and Publications/Press Room/Venticinque_250920_6705-1_WSICC.jpg]">Bruce Smith, MD, receiving the 2025 Community Advocate Award on behalf of the Washington Serious Illness Care Coalition</a>.</p>
<p><a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/News and Publications/Press Room/Venticinque_250920_6723-1_UWPrimary.jpg]">Adam Jayne-Jensen, MD, and Victoria Fang, MD, receiving the 2025 William O. Robertson, MD, Patient Safety Award on behalf of UW Primary Care</a>.</p>
<p><a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/News and Publications/Press Room/Venticinque_250920_6727-1_Senecal.jpg]">Frank Senecal, MD, receiving the 2025 President's Unsung Hero Award</a>.</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>
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<p>
<strong>About the Washington State Medical Association </strong><br />
The Washington State Medical Association represents approximately 13,500 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 135 years. Our vision is to make Washington state the best place to practice medicine and receive care.
</p>
</div> | 9/24/2025 1:45:05 AM | 9/19/2025 2:23:36 PM | 9/22/2025 12:00:00 AM |
| wsma-joins-lawsuit-against-multiplan-insurance-providers-over-health-care-price-fixing | WSMA Joins Lawsuit Against MultiPlan, Insurance Providers Over Health Care Price-Fixing | Press_Release | Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2025/wsma-joins-lawsuit-against-multiplan-insurance-providers-over-health-care-price-fixing | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right"><img src="/images/Logos/Press-Release-Graphic-2019-Branding.png" class="pull-right" alt="WSMA press release logo" /></div>
<h5>Sept. 11, 2025</h5>
<h2>Washington State Medical Association Joins Lawsuit Against MultiPlan, Insurance Providers Over Health Care Price-Fixing </h2>
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<em>Federal antitrust litigation alleges coordinated price-fixing scheme leading to under-reimbursement for out-of-network services </em>
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<p>Seattle (Sept. 11) - The Washington State Medical Association has joined a federal multidistrict litigation against MultiPlan (recently rebranded to Claritev) and major insurers, including UnitedHealth, Elevance, Humana, Aetna, and Cigna, alleging they conspired to systematically underpay physicians for reimbursements for out-of-network services, which often fail to even cover operating costs.</p>
<p>The WSMA joins the <a href="https://avanan.url-protection.com/v1/r01/url?o=https%3A//www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/claims-processing/insurer-price-fixing-real-and-physicians-deserve-day-court&amp;g=MzRiYWM0NjY0ZGE5YzRjOA==&amp;h=Y2ViZWRiZTlhOWRhZGYzN2E4NjgyOTQ3OWE3NjlhOTA0MWZhOWYzZDE2NGEyYTU1N2U0YjBjZGVmOTUwZDYzNQ==&amp;p=YXAzOnJlYnV0dGFsY2FzOmE6bzozMDM4NmQ2MzE2ZDIwZjM1MGVjNGM1ZGM4ZGUzMGM1MTo3OnA6Rg==">American Medical Association (AMA)</a> and hundreds of physician practices and facilities nationwide in this growing antitrust litigation.</p>
<p>"For many years, physicians in Washington state have been forced to accept increasingly insufficient reimbursements for providing health care to out-of-network patients," said WSMA President John Bramhall, MD, PhD. "This lawsuit is an important step to ensure that physicians are justly reimbursed for the care they provide and end this alleged illegal collusion that hurts patients." </p>
<p>This lawsuit, filed in the Northern District Court of Illinois in 2024, seeks to end MultiPlan's alleged anticompetitive scheme that it has operated since at least 2015 and recoup financial damages for physicians and practices. As of 2024, MultiPlan processes more than 80% of all commercial out-of-network reimbursement claims in the United States.</p>
<p>Physicians who believe they have been harmed by MultiPlan and the insurance companies can obtain a <a href="https://avanan.url-protection.com/v1/r01/url?o=https%3A//www.napolilaw.com/en/multiplan/&amp;g=ZDgzYzI5MzYzMDBjNWYzMg==&amp;h=NTE4ZDEyNzFlZGIyMDk0YjdkNTVjYzI3YmMwZjA1N2I5M2JiYWE0NTYxZTcyOGU0ZjY3NjNhYTIzNTcyM2Y2ZA==&amp;p=YXAzOnJlYnV0dGFsY2FzOmE6bzozMDM4NmQ2MzE2ZDIwZjM1MGVjNGM1ZGM4ZGUzMGM1MTo3OnA6Rg==">free case evaluation</a> from one of the law firms appointed by the court to lead the non-class claims or contact the firm via email at <a href="mailto:multiplanlitigation@agg.com">multiplanlitigation@agg.com</a>.</p>
<p><em>Physician interviews available upon request.</em></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>* * * </p>
<p><strong>About the Washington State Medical Association</strong> </p>
<p>The WSMA represents approximately 13,500 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 135 years. Our vision is to make Washington state the best place to practice medicine and receive care.</p>
<p><strong>About the case</strong> </p>
<p>Washington State Medical Association v. MultiPlan Inc., No. 1:25-cv-09599 (N.D. Ill. filed Aug. 12, 2025).</p>
<p><strong>About court appointed council </strong> </p>
<p>Arnall Golden Gregory (AGG) is an Am Law 200 law firm with offices in Atlanta and Washington, D.C. <a href="http://www.agg.com/">www.agg.com</a> </p>
<p>One of the nation's preeminent plaintiffs' law firms, Seeger Weiss is best known for multidistrict mass torts and class actions in both state and federal court-and especially for taking those cases to trial. <a href="http://www.seegerweiss.com/">www.seegerweiss.com</a> </p>
<p>Napoli Shkolnik is a nationally recognized law firm that has built an impressive track record by bringing a client-focused approach to complex, often large-scale litigation, largely in the areas of mass torts, environmental law, civil rights, product liability and pharmaceutical, commercial litigation and medical malpractice &amp; personal injury. <a href="http://www.napolilaw.com/">www.napolilaw.com</a> </p>
</div> | 9/11/2025 10:01:38 AM | 9/11/2025 9:47:29 AM | 9/11/2025 12:00:00 AM |
| defendants-in-wsma-v-kennedy-agree-to-restore-deleted-public-health-data | Defendants in WSMA v. Kennedy Agree to Restore Deleted Public Health Data | Press_Release | Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2025/defendants-in-wsma-v-kennedy-agree-to-restore-deleted-public-health-data | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right"><img src="/images/Logos/Press-Release-Graphic-2019-Branding.png" class="pull-right" alt="WSMA press release logo" /></div>
<h5>Sept. 2, 2025 (Updated Sept. 9)</h5>
<h2>Defendants in WSMA v. Kennedy Agree to Restore Deleted Public Health Data in Win for Washington's Patients and Health Professionals</h2>
<p><em>Washington State Medical Association celebrates successful outcome of its joint lawsuit challenging federal public health data removals.</em></p>
<p>Seattle (Tuesday, Sept. 2)-In May, a group of nine medical organizations and public health nonprofits sued the federal government to stop the deletion of vital public health and science data. Today, we are thrilled to announce that the defendants in Washington State Medical Association et al. v. Kennedy et al. have agreed to restore webpages and data that were wrongfully deleted, ensuring that these critical resources are once again available to physicians, scientists, medical professionals, and the American public.</p>
<p>"I am extremely proud of the health care community in Washington state and our partners in this case for pushing back on this egregious example of government overreach" says John Bramhall, MD, PhD, president of the WSMA, the lead plaintiffs in the case representing more than 13,000 physicians in Washington state. "This was not a partisan issue-open data benefits everyone and ensuring its availability should be a bipartisan priority."</p>
<p>Since January, the federal executive branch has deleted or removed information from 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. WSMA et al. v. Kennedy et al. highlighted 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>"Trust is at the core of pediatrics-parents trust us to put their children first, and we rely on accurate data to guide their care," says James Polo, MD, president of the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a co-plaintiff in the suit. "When critical health information disappeared overnight, that trust was undermined and children's health was put at risk. By joining this effort, we were sending a clear message: politics must never interfere with the care of Washington's kids. Families can count on us to advocate for access to reliable, evidence-based information so every child has the best chance to grow up healthy and strong"</p>
<p>The terms of the settlement require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the defendants in the case, restore websites and data sources identified in the complaint that were unlawfully taken down earlier this year and have not already been restored.</p>
<p>"This was trusted health information that vanished in a blink of an eye-resources that, among other things, physicians rely on to manage patients' health conditions and overall care," says Dr. Bramhall. "Not only was our ability to provide care to our patients compromised, but our trust in our federal health institutions has also been badly shaken. As the leading voice for physicians in Washington state, the WSMA engaged in this legal effort to resist interference into the physician-patient relationship and to show patients and communities that regardless of the whims of governments or politics, physicians are committed to providing accurate, evidence-based care to patients and we will fight any intrusion into our ability to do so."</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><em>Physician interviews available upon request.</em></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><em>* * *</em></p>
<p><strong>BACKGROUND AND MORE</strong></p>
<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 January 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>List of affected websites</strong>: Includes NIH's HIV Risk Reduction Tool, 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> The Washington State Medical Association represents more than 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 WCAAP</strong>: The Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics represents over 1200 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. 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> | 9/9/2025 12:52:28 PM | 8/29/2025 11:31:22 AM | 8/29/2025 12:00:00 AM |
| wsma_president_john_bramhall__md__reacts_to_passage_of_gop_tax_bill_and_its_massive_cuts_to_medicaid | WSMA President John Bramhall, MD, Reacts to Passage of GOP Tax Bill and Its Massive Cuts to Medicaid | Press_Release | Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2025/wsma_president_john_bramhall__md__reacts_to_passage_of_gop_tax_bill_and_its_massive_cuts_to_medicaid | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>July 3, 2025</h5>
<h2>WSMA President John Bramhall, MD, Reacts to Passage of GOP Tax Bill and Its Massive Cuts to Medicaid</h2>
<p>"The 'Big, Beautiful Bill' passed by congressional Republicans today is a travesty for patients and the physician community in our state and across the country. Once signed into law by President Trump, the bill enacts the largest cuts to federal health care spending in our country's history and will lead to 11.8 million people nationwide losing health insurance over the next decade, including tens of thousands here in Washington state. Our state will face billions of dollars in lost federal health care funding, jeopardizing programs on which our state's residents rely.</p>
<p>"As many of us in the house of medicine have been warning, this massive loss of coverage and funding will affect everyone. We will see the loss of health care services, more medical practice closures, longer wait times, and more stress on an already fragile health care system—both on hospital inpatient and emergency care services and on outpatient community clinics, where routine care is provided on a daily basis. These repercussions will be most profound in our rural and underserved communities, but will be felt by all, regardless of where you live and your insurance status.</p>
<p>"It's important to keep in mind that Medicaid funding is used to pay for the provision of the basic health care needs of vulnerable residents. Physicians and hospitals have a moral and ethical obligation to help prevent and treat illness and injury in all residents and Medicaid funding is part of the mechanism allowing us to do this. In Washington state, these funds are very carefully distributed and safeguarded by the state Health Care Authority through its Apple Health program to the ultimate benefit of all our residents.</p>
<p>"Throughout the debates on this bill, many members of our congressional delegation have been stalwart in their defense of Medicaid. We’d like to thank those members of Washington state’s delegation who have opposed the bill, coordinating closely with us to raise concerns, and for clearly articulating Medicaid’s importance to Washingtonians throughout the state.</p>
<p>"As we have done since our founding, the Washington State Medical Association will continue to work to support Washingtonian’s ability to access care when and where they need it. This week our job became that much harder, yet it remains our mission to continue, a duty we will not turn our backs on.â€</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> | 7/3/2025 12:23:03 PM | 7/2/2025 2:09:35 PM | 7/3/2025 12:23:02 PM |
| wsma_physician_leader_elected_to_leadership_at_the_american_medical_association | WSMA Physician Leader Elected to Leadership at the American Medical Association | Press_Release | 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 9:27:52 AM | 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 | Press_Release | 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 9:04:58 AM | 6/11/2025 8:41:57 AM | 6/11/2025 9:04:58 AM |
| gov-ferguson-signs-hb-1392-medicaid-access-program-legislation | Gov. Ferguson Signs HB 1392 Medicaid Access Program Legislation | Press_Release | 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 10:20:00 AM | 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 | Press_Release | 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> | 6/9/2025 3:05:51 PM | 5/20/2025 9:33:39 AM | 5/20/2025 12:00:00 AM |
| president-john-bramhall-md-phd-reaffirms-the-wsmas-commitment-to-medical-ethics | President John Bramhall, MD, PhD, Reaffirms the WSMA's Commitment to Medical Ethics | Press_Release | Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2025/president-john-bramhall-md-phd-reaffirms-the-wsmas-commitment-to-medical-ethics | <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>February 14, 2025</h5>
<h2>Statement from WSMA President John Bramhall, MD, PhD, Reaffirming the Association's Commitment to Medical Ethics, Evidence-based Medicine, and the Science that Supports It</h2>
<p>"While the national landscape for scientific research and medical care has become uncertain and worrisome, the Washington State Medical Association wants to emphasize its commitment to medical ethics, evidence-based medicine, and the science that supports it. </p>
<p>"Since 2005, the WSMA has embraced the AMA Principles of Medical Ethics. Those nine principles, among other things, call for a dedication to providing competent medical care with compassion and respect for human dignity and rights, respect for the law but with recognition of a responsibility to seek changes in those requirements which are contrary to the best interests of the patient, and also the overarching commitment to regard the responsibility to the patient as paramount.</p>
<p>"The challenges we face today in health care policy making at the state and federal levels are constant and intense. Regardless, professional integrity and patient welfare must remain paramount. The WSMA will continue to provide accurate, evidence-based information to our members to support and empower appropriate and lawful delivery of care, to elected officials to guide the development of state and federal policy, and to patients to shield them from overt misinformation.</p>
<p>"At the foundation of the physician-patient relationship there must be trust. Without that trust, quality of care suffers. As physicians, we take that public trust very seriously. Our patients put their very lives in our hands. Knowing what’s at stake, the WSMA will continue to act as a resource, providing accurate, evidence-based information to help you care for your patients. We will, of course, continue to use our advocacy to fight against efforts to propagate false or harmful medical information.</p>
<p>"The WSMA reaffirms our intent to advance equitable care for our patients. These efforts are foundational to increasing health care access, improved outcomes and quality of life, and the experience of belonging in our communities. We will continue to strive for the highest attainable standard of health for all.</p>
<p>"The WSMA remains committed to building health equity and to the elimination of well-documented disparities to improve patient care here in Washington state. Such efforts are necessary to achieve the standard of health that is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, gender identity or sexual orientation, political beliefs, or economic or social conditions.</p>
<p>"Finally, the WSMA will continue to provide education and resources for the profession and our patients on evidence-based care that enhance inclusive excellence and culturally sensitive care, with the continued goal of achieving equitable health outcomes for every Washingtonian. Only through these efforts will we realize our vision to make Washington state the best place to practice medicine and receive care."</p>
<br>
<div style="padding: 56.25% 0 0 0; position: relative;">
<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1058039701?badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479" style="position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" loading="lazy"></iframe>
</div>
<script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"></script>
<br>
<p>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> | 7/23/2025 1:15:50 PM | 2/14/2025 4:44:18 PM | 2/14/2025 12:00:00 AM |
| physician-community-rallies-behind-medicaid-access-program-legislation | Physician Community Rallies Behind Medicaid Access Program Legislation | Press_Release | Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2025/physician-community-rallies-behind-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>February 13, 2025</h5>
<h2>Physician Community Rallies Behind Medicaid Access Program Legislation</h2>
<p>
<em>House Bill 1392 and Senate Bill 5372 would increase patient access to care by improving Medicaid reimbursements for health professionals.</em>
</p>
<p>
With legislative hearings slated for this week and next, the Washington State Medical Association (WSMA) and a coalition of health care organizations are rallying support for legislation establishing the Medicaid Access Program, which would leverage federal funds for Washington's Medicaid program. Such funding is desperately needed to improve access to care for our state's most vulnerable patients.
</p>
<p>
"Understand that Medicaid in Washington state covers nearly a quarter of the state's residents. The goal of the Medicaid Access Program is simple: To ensure those Washingtonians can access the care they need within their communities," says WSMA President John Bramhall, MD, PhD. The WSMA represents nearly 13,000 physicians from all specialties and practice types throughout Washington, as well as physician assistants, resident physicians, and medical students.
</p>
<p>
Washington state's Medicaid program is dismally out of touch with the cost of providing care to patients. Washington state is one of the worst states in the nation when it comes to reimbursing physicians for the services they provide, in some cases paying <a href="https://www.kff.org/medicaid/state-indicator/medicaid-to-medicare-fee-index/?currentTimeframe=0&amp;sortModel=%7B%22colId%22:%22Other%20Services%22,%22sort%22:%22asc%22%7D">below 60% of what Medicare pays</a>. HB 1392 and SB 5372 would reverse that trend and provide payment for services on par with what Medicare pays, ensuring that Medicaid patients have improved access to essential services such as primary care, cancer treatments, joint replacements, OB-GYN and well-child care for mothers and babies, X-rays, and more.
</p>
<p>
"For my independent radiology practice, Medicaid covers less than half the actual cost of delivering care," says Douglas Seiler, MD, president of TRA Medical Imaging in Tacoma. "Because of this unsustainable reimbursement model, we have had to close offices or scale back operations in two of the communities we serve. Unfortunately, patients will have to wait longer for imaging services and often receive care at higher-cost facilities. We're just asking for rates to keep our practices healthy so that we can, in turn, keep our patients healthy."
</p>
<p>
First introduced during the 2024 legislative session, the Medicaid Access Program legislation has benefited from collaborative workshopping led by the WSMA in the run-up to the 2025 legislative session, which included legislators, the state Health Care Authority (which operates the state's Medicaid program, known as Apple Health), and other stakeholders.
</p>
<p>
"The Medicaid Access Program bills being considered these next few weeks are truly a collaborative effort," said Dr. Bramhall. "Everyone at the table has agreed that low Medicaid rates are having a significant impact on access to crucial services, particularly in Washington's rural and other vulnerable communities. These bills very much reflect everyone's genuine desire to invest in our communities and the folks on the ground providing these essential services, and we owe a debt of gratitude for everyone's willingness to work together toward a solution."
</p>
<p>
Scheduled for respective hearings in the House Appropriations Committee this Thursday, Feb. 13, and the Senate Health Care Committee on Thursday, Feb. 20, HB 1392 and SB 5372 would implement the Medicaid Access Program in Washington state beginning in 2026. At the heart of the program is an assessment, similar to assessments in place for Washington's hospitals, ambulances, and nursing homes, that would be applied to insurance carriers. The assessment would then be used to draw down federal matching funds to invest in Washington's Medicaid program by raising Medicaid rates to Medicare levels.
</p>
<p>
As the WSMA and its partner societies have been saying in recent years, investments in the state's Medicaid program cannot come too soon. Medical association survey data continues to show Medicaid enrollees are increasingly struggling to access specialty care in their communities, with physician practices increasingly unable to accommodate the number of Medicaid patients needing care. Illustrating the near-universal agreement on the scope of the problem and the solution needed, the Medicaid Access Program bills have the support of nearly all of the state's medical associations, specialty societies, and county medical societies, along with a large number of clinics and medical groups, hospitals (including the state hospital association), and patient advocacy groups.
</p>
<p>
"Half of children in Washington state depend on Medicaid and live in families where every penny counts," says Beth Ebel, MD, president of the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. "These kids face delays and barriers when they need timely specialty treatment, while kids with commercial insurance do not. This inequity falls hardest on kids living in rural areas where there just aren't options."
</p>
<p>
"This is not an individual doctor-and-patient problem, it's a systemic problem-and it's one our Legislature can solve," said Dr. Bramhall. "We know this approach works: Physicians frequently cite low reimbursements as limiting their ability to see more Medicaid patients. Funding raised from the Medicaid Access Program in HB 1392 and SB 5372 would improve access for critical care such as pediatric neonatal care, cancer diagnosis, joint replacements, X-rays, and more. For patients throughout Washington, these are not optional services-these are essential to living a good, healthy life."
</p>
<p>
For more information on the Medicaid Access Program, visit <a href="https://takeaction.wsma.org/">takeaction.wsma.org</a>.
</p>
<p>
<em>Physician interviews and survey data available upon request. </em>
</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> | 2/13/2025 9:30:54 AM | 2/13/2025 9:26:05 AM | 2/13/2025 12:00:00 AM |
| wsma-introduces-two-point-one-percent-cash-back-mastercard-to-empower-physician-practices | WSMA Introduces 2.1% Cash Back Mastercard to Empower Physician Practices | Press_Release | Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2024/wsma-introduces-two-point-one-percent-cash-back-mastercard-to-empower-physician-practices | <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>Dec. 2, 2024 </h5>
<h2>WSMA Introduces 2.1% Cash Back Mastercard to Empower Physician Practices </h2>
<p>
<em>A financial solution to meet the needs of physician practices throughout Washington </em>
</p>
<p>
The Washington State Medical Association (WSMA) is excited to reveal the WSMA World Elite Business Mastercard®, a financial solution crafted to cater exclusively to the distinctive financial needs of physician practices throughout Washington. This outstanding new benefit of WSMA membership offers 5% cash back on medical supplies*, up to 2.1% unlimited cash back* on everything else, and an opportunity to get your WSMA dues rebated. All of these rewards were designed for practice owners to be able to invest more into their business and add to their savings.
</p>
<p>
"The WSMA World Elite Business Mastercard® is a game-changer for physician practices, offering unparalleled benefits that directly address the unique needs of our profession," says WSMA CEO Jennifer Hanscom. "This innovative card provides businesses with substantial cash-back rewards and a unique management platform to make managing your finances simple."
</p>
<h3>Key Highlights of the WSMA World Elite Business Mastercard </h3>
<p>
<strong>Up to 2.1% unlimited cash back*</strong> - Enjoy the savings of earning up to 2.1% unlimited cash back on all purchases, empowering practices to maximize their profit margins.
</p>
<p>
<strong>5% Cash back on medical supplies and equipment* </strong>- Your physician practice can earn 5% back on $5,000 of medical supplies and equipment every year as a cardholder.
</p>
<p>
<strong>$560 sign-on bonus*</strong> - The WSMA World Elite Business Mastercard ® offers a $560 sign-on bonus that can offset the cost of your WSMA membership dues*!
</p>
<p>
<strong>No annual fees and unlimited employee cards</strong> - The WSMA World Elite Business Mastercard® has no annual fees, making it a cost-effective choice for physician practices.
</p>
<p>
<strong>QuickBooks integration</strong> - Easily sync your credit card transactions into QuickBooks, so you can spend more time focusing on your practice, and less on accounting hassles.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Included expense management software</strong> - The included expense management platform allows businesses to issue free and unlimited cards to different users/departments/locations, manage all of their spend limits, track all of their spending in real time, and request receipts or memos associated with each purchase.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Apply with no effect on personal credit* </strong>- Applying for the WSMA World Elite Business Mastercard ® has no impact on personal credit.
</p>
<p>
Learn more or apply today at <a href="https://WSMACard.com">WSMACard.com</a>. Experience the new method of reinvesting into your physician practice without any impact on your personal credit.
</p>
<p>
<em>*Important notice: Affiniti Finance, Inc. is the program manager of the WSMA World Elite Business Mastercard and is responsible for its operations, including but not limited to card issuance, rewards, management, and customer service. Cardholders are encouraged to review the comprehensive terms and conditions provided by Affiniti Finance, Inc., which can be accessed at <a href="https://affiniti.finance/legal/">affiniti.finance/legal</a>. Affiniti Finance, Inc is not an FDIC-insured institution. WSMA World Elite Business Mastercard is issued by Patriot Bank, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated.</em>
</p>
<p>
For more information:
</p>
<p>
Graham Short <br />
WSMA Director of Communications <br />
206.956.3633 <br />
<a href="mailto:gfs@wsma.org">gfs@wsma.org</a> </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> | 12/2/2024 2:21:59 PM | 11/27/2024 3:45:11 PM | 12/3/2024 12:00:00 AM |
| washington-state-medical-association-launches-your-care-is-at-our-core-advocacy-campaign | Washington State Medical Association Launches Your Care Is at Our Core Advocacy Campaign | Press_Release | Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2024/washington-state-medical-association-launches-your-care-is-at-our-core-advocacy-campaign | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right"><img src="/images/Logos/Press-Release-Graphic-2019-Branding.png" class="pull-right" alt="WSMA press release logo" /></div>
<h5>Oct. 14, 2024 </h5>
<h2>WSMA Launches Your Care Is at Our Core Advocacy Campaign </h2>
<p>
<em>Patient-focused campaign to strengthen the bond between physicians and patients in Washington. </em>
</p>
<p>
The Washington State Medical Association is proud to launch the <a href="https://wsma.org/wsma/advocacy/your-care-is-at-our-core/wsma/advocacy/your-care-is-at-our-core.aspx?hkey=e7b72239-4fec-4a55-92d9-462cbf769389">Your Care Is at Our Core campaign</a> in partnership with the American Medical Association to highlight the importance of the patient-physician relationship.
</p>
<p>
Physicians in Washington state and across the country have faced growing challenges ignited by battles over the COVID-19 pandemic, prevalence of mis- and dis-information, administrative burdens, and the politicalization of health care. These factors have created an unnecessary crack in the patient-physician relationship that we intend to mend.
</p>
<p>
The data speaks for itself: A vast majority of patients agree that the patient-doctor relationship is central to health care, that physicians should be central to treatment decisions and care; and that red tape bureaucracy makes it harder for physicians to provide the best care to patients.<sup>1</sup>
</p>
<p>
Over the last several years, decisions made by third parties like insurance companies and others in health care have dramatically limited the time physicians can spend with their patients. From insurer prior authorizations that delay needed care to access issues resulting from <a href="https://takeaction.wsma.org/">reimbursements that don't cover the cost of care</a>, physicians are spending more and more of their time and energy fighting to ensure their patients can access the care they need. Adding to their frustration, physicians then find they often are blamed for these third-party intrusions into the patient-physician relationship.
</p>
<p>
Physicians understand that time spent listening to, responding to, and treating patients is essential to providing the quality care patients deserve. Health care can be an especially vulnerable space for patients, and establishing a meaningful relationship is necessary to build trust and provide the most effective care and treatment.
</p>
<p>
"Physicians enter the practice medicine because they are caring, compassionate, and genuinely want to help others," says WSMA President John Bramhall, MD, PhD. "They are very protective of the time they spend with their patients-time to have questions answered, time for a second look, time to make the best choices together to provide the best quality care. Time spent arguing with insurers over care decisions or fighting for reimbursements just to cover the basic costs of the care being provided is time stolen from their patients. Physicians are patients' best advocates, and it's way past time for us to push back together against artificial barriers that prevent patients from accessing timely, needed care and that keep physicians trapped in a cycle of frustration and burnout."
</p>
<p>
Physicians are fighting alongside their patients. We look forward to amplifying their efforts through the <a href="https://wsma.org/wsma/advocacy/your-care-is-at-our-core/wsma/advocacy/your-care-is-at-our-core.aspx?hkey=e7b72239-4fec-4a55-92d9-462cbf769389">Your Care Is at Our Core campaign</a> and hope you will continue to follow along.
</p>
<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, physician assistants, resident physicians, and medical students across all specialties and practice types in Washington state. The WSMA has advocated on behalf of the house of medicine for more than 125 years. Our vision is to make Washington state the best place to practice medicine and receive care.
</p>
<p>
<strong>About the American Medical Association</strong>
</p>
<p>
The American Medical Association is the physician's powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care. The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises, and driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care.
</p>
<p>
<sup>1</sup> <em>Results from a National Online Survey of 1,000 voters conducted March 8-10, 2023, on behalf of the AMA.</em>
</p>
</div> | 10/14/2024 10:13:28 AM | 10/14/2024 10:09:11 AM | 10/14/2024 12:00:00 AM |
| seattle-anesthesiologist-inaugurated-as-2024-2025-president-of-washington-state-medical-asso | Seattle Anesthesiologist Inaugurated as 2024-2025 President of WSMA | Press_Release | Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2024/seattle-anesthesiologist-inaugurated-as-2024-2025-president-of-washington-state-medical-asso | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right"><img src="/images/Logos/Press-Release-Graphic-2019-Branding.png" class="pull-right" alt="WSMA press release logo" /></div>
<h5>Sept. 30, 2024 </h5>
<h2>Seattle Anesthesiologist Inaugurated as 2024-2025 President of Washington State Medical Association </h2>
<p>
Seattle anesthesiologist John Bramhall, MD, PhD, was inaugurated as president of the Washington State Medical Association at its annual House of Delegates meeting on Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Historic Davenport in Spokane. The WSMA represents nearly 13,000 physicians, resident physicians, physician assistants, and medical students throughout Washington state.
</p>
<p>
After 30 years working at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Dr. Bramhall recently stepped away from his position as associate medical director at the level-one trauma center to serve as WSMA president. He maintains an academic position at the University of Washington School of Medicine, also in Seattle, as a clinical professor emeritus in the department of anesthesiology.
</p>
<p>
Dr. Bramhall received a diploma from John Dalton College, in Manchester, U.K. in 1971, followed by a PhD in biochemistry at Aston University in Birmingham in 1976. A Fulbright Scholarship brought him to the United States, where he studied immunology-oriented sciences first at the Molecular Biology Institute of the University of California, Los Angeles, then as a research fellow at the Neurobiology Institute at Stanford University Medical Center in Palo Alto, California. A passion for immunology and its impact on disease states led him to medical school at the University of California San Diego, where he graduated in 1991, after developing a fascination for the study of anesthesia, including scholarly interest in the many interventions common to anesthesiology practice.
</p>
<p>
Pivoting from academic to practical medicine, Dr. Bramhall chose an anesthesia residency at Virginia Mason in Seattle and then stayed in Seattle for his subsequent career as a clinician, professor, and medical director with UW Medicine at Harborview. Though he recently stepped back from his administrative positions at Harborview, he maintains an ad hoc practice in the ORs of the trauma center as needed and continues with his academic appointments at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
</p>
<p>
Dr. Bramhall brings more than 30 years of experience to his tenure as the medical association president, including a wide variety of front-line clinical roles and extensive administrative responsibilities within a large medical system, as well as 25 years of experience in academic medicine. He is past president of the Washington State Society of Anesthesiologists, past delegate to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, past member of UW Academic Senate and multiple UW/Harborview committees, and a current member of Washington State Hospital Association board of directors, among other roles.
</p>
<p>
The following physicians were also elected as officers at the meeting: Bridget Bush, MD, FASA, Anacortes anesthesiologist, president-elect; Matt Hollon, MD, MPH, MACP, Spokane internist, vice president; and Bindu Nayak, MD, Wenatchee endocrinologist, secretary-treasurer. The fifth officer of WSMA's executive committee is Past President Nariman Heshmati, MD, MBA, FACOG, Mukilteo OB-GYN, who will serve as committee chair.
</p>
<p>
In addition to several WSMA members who were re-elected to the board of trustees, newly elected to the board for two-year terms were Avanti Bergquist, MD, Bellevue psychiatrist; Stephanie Hansen, DO, Toppenish internist; Trace Julsen, MD, Spokane family physician; Vivienne Meljen, MD, Vancouver OB-GYN; and Alan Melnick, MD, Vancouver preventive medicine physician. Dr. Meljen was also elected to serve as an American Medical Association alternate delegate for a two-year term. Anukrati Shukla, MD, Monroe internist, was elected to serve as young physician trustee and Jacob Leary, MD, Seattle internist, was elected to serve as resident trustee, both for one-year terms.
</p>
<p>
Visit the WSMA website for a <a href="[@]wsma/about_us/leadership/board_of_trustees/wsma/about/leadership/board_of_trustees/board_of_trustees.aspx?hkey=0abc484b-c165-4fb1-90b5-1f72370b18d2">full roster of WSMA board of trustees members</a>.
</p>
<p>
Download a high-resolution portrait of <a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/News and Publications/Press Room/bramhall-john-md-1731-12x8.jpg]">WSMA President John Bramhall, MD, PhD</a>.
</p>
<p>
For more information contact:
</p>
<p>
Graham Short<br />
WSMA Director of Communications<br />
<a href="mailto:gfs@wsma.org">gfs@wsma.org</a> / 206.329.6851 cell/text
</p>
<h3>About the Washington State Medical Association </h3>
<p>
The Washington State Medical Association represents nearly 13,000 physicians, resident physicians, physician assistants, and medical students across all specialties and practice types in Washington state. The WSMA has advocated on behalf of the house of medicine for more than 125 years. Our vision is to make Washington state the best place to practice medicine and receive care.
</p>
</div> | 10/3/2024 11:07:26 AM | 10/1/2024 2:22:51 PM | 9/30/2024 12:00:00 AM |
| wsma-names-senator-annette-cleveland-2024-legislator-of-the-year- | WSMA Names Senator Annette Cleveland 2024 Legislator of the Year | Press_Release | Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2024/wsma-names-senator-annette-cleveland-2024-legislator-of-the-year- | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right"><img src="/images/Logos/Press-Release-Graphic-2019-Branding.png" class="pull-right" alt="WSMA press release logo" /></div>
<h5>Sept. 30, 2024 </h5>
<h2>Washington State Medical Association Names Senator Annette Cleveland 2024 Legislator of the Year </h2>
<p>
<em>State senator representing Washington's 48th Legislative District honored for her partnership with the physician community.</em>
</p>
<p>
Sen. Annette Cleveland, D-Vancouver, was named 2024 Legislator of the Year by the Washington State Medical Association during the 2024 Annual Meeting of the WSMA House of Delegates at the Historic Davenport in Spokane on Saturday, Sept. 28.
</p>
<p>
Each year, the WSMA, representing physicians, resident physicians, physician assistants, and medical students statewide, honors a legislator whose partnership and influence help to make Washington one of the best states in the nation to practice medicine and receive care.
</p>
<p>
The centenarian association honored Sen. Cleveland for her leadership as chair of the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee and her dedication to ensuring meaningful health care policy for our state's patients and physicians.
</p>
<ul>
<li>She is the prime champion in the Senate of WSMA priority legislation to establish confidentiality protections for physician wellness programs, which aim to increase participation in these programs to help mitigate career fatigue and improve overall well-being and job satisfaction among physicians. The WSMA looks forward to continuing its partnership with Sen. Cleveland on the bill during the 2025 legislative session.</li>
<li>Sen. Cleveland is a staunch advocate of promoting access to vaccines, sponsoring Senate Bill 5982 this past legislative session to update the definition of vaccine in state statute to allow for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine and other immunizations to be included in the Washington Childhood Vaccine Program. In 2019, she worked to remove the personal or philosophical exemption for the MMR vaccine for school-aged children (Senate Bill 5841).</li>
<li>Sen. Cleveland knows the importance of ensuring access to care, including abortion services. In 2023, she sponsored legislation to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for patients receiving abortion care (Senate Bill 5242).</li>
<li>The WSMA helped establish the state's Maternal Mortality Review Panel to review maternal deaths in the state and make recommendations to prevent future maternal deaths. In 2019, Sen. Cleveland sponsored legislation to make the panel permanent (Senate Bill 5425).</li>
</ul>
<p>
"Sen. Cleveland has been a consistent partner to the physician community whose door has remained open to us throughout the year," said John Bramhall, MD, PhD, WSMA president. "With more than seven sessions as chair of the top Senate health committee, she is a leader in health policy in our state and is more than deserving of WSMA's top honor for our legislative partners. We are grateful for her being a champion of medicine and are proud to name her our 2024 Legislator of the Year."
</p>
<p>
"It's an honor to receive this recognition of the hard work, trust, and partnership that contributes to protecting the health care of Washingtonians, and the work of physicians across the state," said Cleveland. "By focusing on shared goals and values, we are making progress in attracting and keeping a strong health care workforce, protecting reproductive rights and privacy, and expanding access to quality care statewide. I look forward to our work together in the coming years."
</p>
<p>
A high-resolution portrait of Sen. Cleveland is available from her <a href="https://senatedemocrats.wa.gov/cleveland/">website</a>.
</p>
<p>
For more information contact:
</p>
<p>
Graham Short<br />
WSMA Director of Communications<br />
<a href="mailto:gfs@wsma.org">gfs@wsma.org</a> / 206.329.6851 cell/text
</p>
<h4>About the Washington State Medical Association </h4>
<p>
The Washington State Medical Association represents nearly 13,000 physicians, resident physicians, physician assistants, and medical students across all specialties and practice types in Washington state. The WSMA has advocated on behalf of the house of medicine for more than 125 years. Our vision is to make Washington state the best place to practice medicine and receive care.
</p>
</div> | 10/3/2024 11:07:26 AM | 10/1/2024 2:22:16 PM | 9/30/2024 12:00:00 AM |
| wsma-adds-member-benefit-from-resolve | WSMA Adds Member Benefit from Resolve | Press_Release | Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2024/wsma-adds-member-benefit-from-resolve | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right"><img src="/images/Logos/Press-Release-Graphic-2019-Branding.png" class="pull-right" alt="WSMA press release logo" /></div>
<h5>Sept. 16, 2024</h5>
<h2>WSMA Adds Member Benefit from Resolve</h2>
<p>
<em>Contract review and data access for WSMA members</em>
</p>
<p>
The Washington State Medical Association announces a new member benefit from Resolve, a physician employment <a href="https://www.resolve.com/contract-review?utm_campaign=Washington%20State%20Medical%20Association&amp;utm_source=press-release">contract review</a> and data provider. Resolve will assist WSMA physician and physician assistant members in signing competitive contracts, whether they are starting their first post-training job or renegotiating an existing agreement.
</p>
<p>
"In a recent survey of our members, a majority asked for help in reviewing physician employment contracts," said WSMA CEO Jennifer Hanscom. "To meet that need, we turned to Resolve as the physician contract review experts who can deliver this critical service - at a discount - to our members. Their specialized expertise will definitely be a benefit to Washington's physician workforce!"
</p>
<p>
Resolve helps physicians review and negotiate employment contracts to maximize compensation, improve work/life balance, and guard against unexpected workplace changes. With contracts that compensate physicians properly and accompany their unique individual needs, job dissatisfaction and feelings of burnout can be prevented. Resolve is offering contract review services and compensation data access to WSMA members at a discounted rate.
</p>
<p>
For more information contact:
</p>
<p>
Melissa Knipp<br />
Resolve<br />
<a href="mailto:melissa@resolve.com">melissa@resolve.com</a>
</p>
<p>
<strong>About Resolve</strong>
</p>
<p>
A physician-founded and physician-driven company, Resolve is bringing change to employment contracts by providing transparency into the physician market. Utilizing the most accurate data on compensation and other contract terms, paired with a specialized legal team, Resolve provides the insights and expertise physicians need to negotiate for fair contracts and take control of their careers. To learn more, visit <a href="https://www.resolve.com/?utm_campaign=Washington%20State%20Medical%20Association&amp;utm_source=press-release">resolve.com</a>.
</p>
<p>
<strong>About the Washington State Medical Association</strong>
</p>
<p>
The WSMA represents nearly 13,000 physicians, physician assistants, resident physicians, and medical students across all specialties and practice types in Washington state. The WSMA has advocated on behalf of the house of medicine for more than 125 years. Our vision is to make Washington state the best place to practice medicine and receive care.
</p>
</div> | 11/27/2024 4:11:28 PM | 11/27/2024 4:00:13 PM | 9/16/2024 12:00:00 AM |
| statement-from-washington-state-medical-association-opposing-initiative-2117 | Statement from Washington State Medical Association Opposing Initiative 2117 | Press_Release | Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2024/statement-from-washington-state-medical-association-opposing-initiative-2117 | <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>Aug.&nbsp;12, 2024</h5>
<h2>Statement from Washington State Medical Association Opposing Initiative 2117</h2>
<p>
At its May meeting this year, the board of trustees of the Washington State Medical Association voted to support the "No on 2117" campaign, pursuant to <a href="https://wsma.org/wsma/about/policies/whats_our_policy/environmental-health/clean-air.aspx">WSMA policy adopted in 2018</a> that specifically supports investments in clean energy via a fee on large suppliers of CO2-emitting products. The policy was adopted by the WSMA House of Delegates in response to a then-pending ballot initiative establishing a cap-and-invest system, a precursor to <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5126&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2021">Senate Bill 5126</a> from 2021, which created the Climate Commitment Act.
</p>
<p>
Initiative 2117 is also in direct opposition to WSMA policy that acknowledges climate change as a critical public health issue. The WSMA's House of Delegates, since 2016, has adopted policies that urge the association to work on solutions that both reduce pollution and address the issue of climate change to promote healthier, sustainable communities.
</p>
<p>
As noted in WSMA policy, climate change is a critical public health issue:
</p>
<ul>
<li>Potential effects of climate change on human health include higher rates of respiratory and heat-related illness, increased prevalence of vector-borne and waterborne diseases, food and water insecurity, and malnutrition. Persons who are elderly, sick, or poor are especially vulnerable to these potential consequences.</li>
<li>The WSMA supports educating the medical community on the potential adverse public health effects of global climate change and incorporating the health implications of climate change into the spectrum of medical education, including topics such as population displacement, heat waves and drought, flooding, infectious and vector-borne diseases, and potable water supplies.</li>
<li>We recognize the importance of physician involvement in policymaking at the state, national, and global levels, and support efforts to search for novel, comprehensive, and economically sensitive approaches to mitigating climate change to protect the health of the public; and recognize that whatever the etiology of global climate change, policymakers should work to reduce human contributions to such changes.</li>
<li>We encourage physicians to adopt programs for environmental sustainability in their practices, share these concepts with their patients and their communities, and to serve as role models for promoting environmental sustainability.</li>
<li>We encourage physicians to work with local and state health departments to strengthen the public health infrastructure to ensure that the global health effects of climate change can be anticipated and responded to more efficiently.</li>
<li>We support epidemiological, translational, clinical, and basic science research necessary for evidence-based global climate change policy decisions related to health care and treatment.</li>
</ul>
<h3>The potential health impacts of I-2117</h3>
<p>A new white paper from Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, <a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/News and Publications/Press Room/i-2117-a-risk-to-our-health-wpsr-white-paper-07-17-24-.pdf]">Initiative 2117: A Risk to Our Health – An Analysis of the Threats to Health Posed by I-2117</a>, evaluates the significant health impacts of Initiative 2117 and the repeal of Washington’s Climate Commitment Act.</p>
<p>
<em>Note: WSMA policy is set at the association's annual House of Delegates meeting. Delegates to the meeting include WSMA board members, representatives from county medical societies, state specialty societies, and special sections. More about WSMA's House of Delegates and the association's policies can be found at <a href="https://wsma.org">www.wsma.org</a></em>.
</p>
<p><em>For more information contact WSMA Director of Communications Graham Short, 206.329.6851 (cell/text), <a href="mailto:gfs@wsma.org">gfs@wsma.org</a>.</em></p>
<p><strong>About the Washington State Medical Association</strong></p>
<p>The WSMA represents nearly 12,500 physicians, physician assistants, resident physicians, and medical students across all specialties and practice types in Washington state. The WSMA has advocated on behalf of the house of medicine for more than 125 years. Our vision is to make Washington state the best place to practice medicine and receive care.</p>
</div> | 8/13/2024 9:39:46 AM | 6/4/2024 12:57:05 PM | 8/12/2024 12:00:00 AM |
| wsma-president-reacts-to-todays-supreme-court-decision-in-case-challenging-emtala | WSMA President Reacts to Today's Supreme Court Decision in Case Challenging EMTALA | Press_Release | Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2024/wsma-president-reacts-to-todays-supreme-court-decision-in-case-challenging-emtala | <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 27, 2024 </h5>
<h2>WSMA President Reacts to Today's Supreme Court Decision in Case Challenging EMTALA </h2>
<p>
"While a welcome development for patients' access to care, today's Supreme Court decision regarding EMTALA doesn't mean an end to this issue, as there will likely be further challenges to the law. States like Washington that have a long history of protecting access to abortion care must remain vigilant in defending the sanctity of the physician-patient relationship. The Washington State Medical Association has extensive policy in support of promoting access to abortion and all essential health care services.
</p>
<p>
"We urge our state leaders to keep doing everything in their power to ensure Washington can fully meet the needs of our patients and those patients who travel here from states with abortion restrictions to seek care."
</p>
<p>
Nariman Heshmati, MD, MBA, an OB-GYN in Everett, is the president of the Washington State Medical Association, representing nearly 13,000 physicians, physician assistants, resident physicians, and medical students statewide.
</p>
<p>
For more information contact:
</p>
<p>
Graham Short<br />
Director of Communications<br />
NEW ADDRESS as of 6/26/24: 1215 Fourth Ave, Suite 1901, Seattle, WA 98161<br />
Cell: 206.329.6851; Email: <a href="mailto:gfs@wsma.org">gfs@wsma.org</a> <br />
<a href="https://wsma.org">www.wsma.org</a>&nbsp;</p>
</div> | 7/3/2024 4:39:18 PM | 7/3/2024 4:38:53 PM | 6/27/2024 12:00:00 AM |
| statement-from-wsma-and-washington-medical-schools-in-support-of-dei-efforts-in-medicine | Statement from WSMA and Washington Medical Schools in Support of DEI Efforts in Medicine | Press_Release | Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2024/statement-from-wsma-and-washington-medical-schools-in-support-of-dei-efforts-in-medicine | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>May 1, 2024 &nbsp;<em>(Updated May 30, 2024)</em></h5>
<h2>Statement from WSMA and Washington Medical Schools in Support of DEI Efforts in Medicine</h2>
<p>Today, the Washington State Medical Association joins Washington state's three medical schools - the University of Washington School of Medicine, the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine, and the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine - to add our voices to the national health care organizations and associations from across the country <a href="https://www.ama-assn.org/press-center/press-releases/statement-improving-health-through-dei">in support of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts</a> in health care and society. These efforts are foundational to increasing health care access, quality of life, and the experience of belonging in our communities, along with striving for the highest attainable standard of health for all.</p>
<p>Together with Washington’s medical schools, the WSMA is committed to building health equity and eliminating well-documented disparities to improve patient care here in Washington. That work is worthwhile and necessary to achieve the standard of health that is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, gender identity or sexual orientation, political belief, or economic or social condition.</p>
<p>As leaders in medical education, medical professionalism, and patient care, we are proud to stand with those in health care who have identified the need to mitigate the harm of&nbsp;long-standing inequities in our health care system,&nbsp;and we are proud to support efforts taking place in our state and throughout the country to help <a href="https://foundation.wsma.org/">diversify the health care workforce</a>, enhance inclusive excellence, and train health care professionals to provide <a href="https://wsma.org/wsma/foundation/health-equity/inclusive-language-and-health-equity-resources.aspx?WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">culturally sensitive care</a>.</p>
<p>This is the work we must do to accomplish equitable health outcomes for every Washingtonian. Only through these efforts will we realize our vision to make Washington state the best place to practice medicine and receive care.</p>
<p><em>In addition to the WSMA, UWSOM, PNWU, and Elson S. Floyd, the following organizations have signed on in support of this statement:</em></p>
<p>Allegro Pediatrics <br />
Chelan Douglas County Medical Society <br />
Clark County Medical Society<br />
Grays Harbor County Medical Society <br />
Northwest Academy of Otolaryngology <br />
Pacific Northwest Society of Pathologists<br />
Pierce County Medical Society<br />
Snohomish County Medical Society<br />
Thurston-Mason County Medical Society <br />
Washington Academy of Family Physicians<br />
Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics <br />
Washington Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians <br />
Washington Chapter of the American College of Physicians <br />
Washington Osteopathic Medical Association<br />
Washington Permanente Medical Group <br />
Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility<br />
Washington Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine <br />
Washington State Association of Local Public Health Officials <br />
Washington State Medical Oncology Society <br />
Washington State Neurological Society<br />
Washington State Dermatology Association <br />
Washington Society of Plastic Surgeons <br />
Seattle Menopause Medicine</p>
<p>* * *</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>Kim Blakeley<br />
UW Medicine/UW School of Medicine/WWAMI Director of Strategic Marketing &amp; Communications<br />
<a href="mailto:krb13@uw.edu">krb13@uw.edu</a> / 206.550.6564 cell</p>
<p>Paul Bubluski<br />
PNWU Director of Public Relations<br />
<a href="mailto:PBubluski@PNWU.edu">PBubluski@PNWU.edu</a></p>
<p>Stephanie Engle<br />
Director of Communications and Marketing<br />
Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine<br />
<a href="mailto:stephanie.engle@wsu.edu">stephanie.engle@wsu.edu</a></p>
<p><strong>About the Washington State Medical Association<br />
</strong>The WSMA represents nearly 12,500 physicians, physician assistants, resident physicians, and medical students across all specialties and practice types in Washington state. The WSMA has advocated on behalf of the house of medicine for more than 125 years. Our vision is to make Washington state the best place to practice medicine and receive care.</p>
<p><strong>About the</strong><strong> University of Washington School of Medicine<br />
</strong>The University of Washington School of Medicine is dedicated to improving the general health and well-being of the public. In pursuit of its goals, the school is committed to excellence in biomedical education, research, and health care.</p>
<p><strong>About the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine<br />
</strong>Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences is a grassroots, non-profit health sciences university established in 2005 by a group of visionary community leaders in Washington’s Yakima Valley. PNWU’s 70-acre campus boasts a collaboration-inspiring array of health sciences disciplines, all united under the university’s mission of educating and training health care professionals emphasizing service in rural and medically underserved areas throughout the Pacific Northwest states of Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Montana.</p>
<p>PNWU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine matriculated its first cohort of students in 2008. The PNWU-COM&nbsp;mission&nbsp;is to educate and train students to become osteopathic physicians that provide research-driven quality care to communities of the Northwest, particularly in rural and medically underserved populations.</p>
<p><strong>About the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine<br />
</strong>The Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine is Washington’s community-based medical school. Named after WSU’s late president, Dr. Elson S. Floyd, the college was created to expand medical education and health care access in communities across the state. The college offers degree and certificate programs in medicine, nutrition and exercise physiology, speech and hearing sciences, health administration and leadership, and medical ethics, as well as graduate medical education programs. In addition, the college is home to groundbreaking research that impacts communities locally and across the world.</p>
</div> | 5/30/2024 4:32:46 PM | 5/1/2024 9:14:40 AM | 5/1/2024 12:00:00 AM |
| hb-2476-will-improve-reimbursements-strengthen-medicaid-improve-access-to-care-in-washington-state | HB 2476 Will Improve Reimbursements, Strengthen Medicaid, Improve Access to Care in Washington State | Press_Release | Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2024/hb-2476-will-improve-reimbursements-strengthen-medicaid-improve-access-to-care-in-washington-state | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>Feb. 16, 2024</h5>
<h2>HB 2476 Will Improve Reimbursements, Strengthen Medicaid, Improve Access to Care in Washington State</h2>
<p><em>Washington state's low reimbursement rates mean 1 out of 4 Washington residents are vulnerable to being unable to get needed care. A Covered Lives Assessment (HB 2476/SB 6309) would annually generate more than $500 million in support of Medicaid patients </em></p>
<p>The Washington State Medical Association's (WSMA) top legislative priority this year is the creation of a covered lives assessment which would draw down federal dollars, and most importantly, expand access to primary and specialty care for Medicaid patients.</p>
<p>Washington state has some of the lowest Medicaid reimbursement rates in the nation, making it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for many physician clinics and medical groups to see Medicaid patients. HB 2476/SB 6309 will allow the state to use federal funding to improve patients’ access to physicians, ARNPs, physician assistants. This access is essential in Washington, where Medicaid enrollment in Washington state is now at more than 2 million, about 25% of our state’s population.</p>
<p>“Medicaid is a lifeline to care for 2 million residents and it’s unacceptable that it is not properly funded. It is the patients who suffer.†Dr. Katina Rue, a family physician from Yakima.</p>
<p>“We know that improving reimbursement rates improves access to care, because we’ve seen it work in recent years with improved primary care payments,†said Sean Graham, WSMA Government Affairs Director. “Now it’s time for an across-the-board adjustment for all areas of care, so more Medicaid patients can see the clinicians they need.â€</p>
<p><strong>The problem from the physicians’ point of view</strong></p>
<p>The intent of this proposal is to make sure patients can get the care they need in their communities when they need it. “People shouldn’t have to wait for months for a radiology appointment, be forced to go to an ED for care that can be taken care of in a physician’s office, or have to travel across the state to see a specialist like a dermatologist. Washington can do better.†said Jennifer Hanscom, WSMA CEO.</p>
<p>For many physician specialties, reimbursement for Medicaid services hasn’t increased in over 20 years and the reimbursement is far less than Medicare and commercial rates.</p>
<p>“The technical component of an OB ultrasound exam does not include the physician, but does include technologist salary and benefits, ultrasound equipment, office space, utilities and similar expenses,†explained Douglas Seiler, MD, President of TRA Medical Imaging in Tacoma. “The cost for just that part is more than $90 per exam. Medicaid reimburses only about $45. This is a serious underpayment, and one that independent practices especially cannot sustain.â€</p>
<p>“For some specialty services, patients from across the state have to travel to the Seattle area to be seen by a doctor because many practices have to limit the number of Medicaid patients they in order to keep their practice doors open†said Andrea Kalus, MD, UW Associate Professor of Dermatology. “People travel a long way to get here, and the distance alone means some people never come back. A snowy winter makes it even more difficult to get ongoing care of chronic conditions.â€</p>
<p><strong>The problem from the patients’ point of view</strong></p>
<p>In fall of 2023, the WSMA surveyed a sample of Medicaid enrollees in Washington state. According to the survey, more than half reported denial of care or difficulty scheduling an appointment since being on Medicaid. About 4 in 10 (39%) had trouble getting an appointment for follow-up treatment, despite having a doctor’s referral.</p>
<p>When people cannot access physicians or advance care practitioners because of their insurance, their suffering is likely to increase&nbsp;and their conditions can worsen. 8 in 10 (78%) of people denied care named at least one consequence, including:</p>
<ul>
<li>Increased illness or discomfort (52%)</li>
<li>Increased pain (46%)</li>
<li>Decreased quality of life (45%)</li>
<li>Delayed diagnosis (32%)</li>
<li>Decreased ability to work (31%)</li>
</ul>
<p>Without access to care, 2 in 10 people said they’d go without care, and 8 out of 10 said they’d take another action such as going to urgent care or an emergency department.</p>
<p><strong>The good news: There is a solution</strong></p>
<p>The best way to equalize access to care is to increase reimbursement rates. A covered lives assessment draws down federal dollars and will allow physicians to care for more Medicaid patients. This approach works and widely supported by medical practices and physician clinics across the state: Over 600 individuals and groups have signed on in support of HB 2476/SB 6309.</p>
<p>Similar to assessments already in place for hospitals, nursing homes, and ambulances, the covered lives assessment is designed to leverage federal funding to support investments in Washington’s Medicaid program in order to increase payment for professional services provided by physicians, physician assistants, and ARNPs. The result is a proposal that is net neutral to the state’s general fund and yields over $500 million in annual investments for Medicaid rate increases.</p>
<p>“It feels like every day we hear from our members about their desire to see more Medicaid patients, but with inflation, rising salaries, and other economic uncertainties, it’s often financially impossible, especially for the smaller, independent practices,†said Graham. “Increasing and stabilizing reimbursement rates will help physicians see more Medicaid patients than they do currently, and our patients deserve that. This is an issue we would like the current Legislature to resolve.â€</p>
<p><em>The Washington State Medical Association held a media briefing Friday, Feb. 16, at 10 a.m. on House Bill 2476. <a href="https://vimeo.com/913800890?share=copy">View the briefing here</a>.</em></p>
<p><em>Interview opportunities are available. </em><em>For more information contact WSMA Director of Communications Graham Short, 206.329.6851 (cell/text), <a href="mailto:gfs@wsma.org">gfs@wsma.org</a>.</em></p>
<p><strong>About the WSMA</strong></p>
<p>The Washington State Medical Association represents nearly 13,000 physicians, physician assistants, resident physicians, and medical students across all specialties and practice types in Washington state. The WSMA has advocated on behalf of the house of medicine for more than 125 years. Our vision is to make Washington state the best place to practice medicine and receive care.</p>
</div> | 4/18/2024 1:45:07 AM | 2/16/2024 12:22:41 PM | 10/3/2023 12:00:00 AM |