| action-alert-on-medicaid-reimbursement | Action Alert on Medicaid Reimbursement | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/january-27/action-alert-on-medicaid-reimbursement | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>January 27, 2023</h5>
<h2>Action Alert on Medicaid Reimbursement</h2>
<p>The WSMA is committed to focusing on the one of the biggest funding challenges faced by physicians and health care practitioners: Medicaid payment rates that do not come close to covering the cost of care and do not support access to care for the most vulnerable. During the 2023 legislative session now underway in Olympia, the WSMA is asking the Washington State Legislature to support an increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates for professional services to the equivalent paid by Medicare, adjusting to inflation moving forward. The estimated fiscal impact for the 2023-25 biennium is $200.4 million in state general funds, leveraging a more than 2-to-1 federal match for an overall investment of $634.8 million.</p>
<p>This week, we sent an action alert to WSMA members to encourage grassroots advocacy on this issue. It's imperative that lawmakers hear directly from members of the physician community on how these funds will affect their ability to practice good medicine and provide patient care. If you haven't yet responded to the call to action, please take a moment to contact your legislators. <a href="https://www.votervoice.net/WSMA/Campaigns/99646/Respond">Visit the WSMA's new Action Center to send your message</a>.</p>
</div> | 1/27/2023 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| hpv-vaccine-now-recommended-at-age-9 | HPV Vaccine Now Recommended at Age 9 | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/january-27/hpv-vaccine-now-recommended-at-age-9 | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>January 27, 2023</h5>
<h2>HPV Vaccine Now Recommended at Age 9</h2>
<p>The Washington State Immunization Information System updated its guidance, beginning Jan. 20, to reflect the recommendation to administer the human papillomavirus vaccine starting at age 9. This change signals an important step in increasing HPV vaccination coverage across the state of Washington, and follows recommendations by the American Cancer Society, American Academy of Pediatrics, Washington State Vaccine Advisory Committee, and the Washington State Department of Health.</p>
<p>In preparation for this change, we encourage you and your office to create a plan and implement the structural changes needed within your organization to start vaccinating at age 9. <a href="https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-01/HPV%20Vaccine%20Forecast.pdf?uid=63cb06e042473">This guide</a> gives a visual representation of how this change is presented in the Washington State Immunization Information System. There are no major differences in the IIS from a user and technical perspective other than the age of the vaccine forecast has changed to 9. HPV vaccines do not need to be entered differently into the IIS than before this forecast update.</p>
<p>To assist in efforts to implement changes needed to start routinely vaccinating at age nine, use the provided list of resources:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://hpvroundtable.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/FINAL_NW-Summit-Clinic-Toolkit-Print-On-Demand-Kits.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Start At 9 Toolkit (hpvroundtable.org)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://hpvroundtable.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HPV_Roundtable-HPV_Why_Age_9_Sales_Sheet_WEB.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Why Age 9? Fact Sheet - National HPV Roundtable</a></li>
<li><a href="https://hpvroundtable.org/action-guides/">Clinician &amp; Health Systems Action Guides - National HPV Roundtable</a></li>
<li><a href="https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-07/348-612-ProtectChildAgainstViruses-en-L_0.pdf?uid=62e71bb87bc1a">HPV At 9 (DOH)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/Documents/Pubs/348-613-HPVVaccinationAlgorithm.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">HPV Vaccination Algorithm (DOH)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/online-documents/en/pdf/flyers/hpv-vacs-just-the-facts-for-providers.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">HPV Provider Fact Sheet (cancer.org)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/14942/Why-AAP-recommends-initiating-HPV-vaccination-as?searchresult=1">Why AAP recommends initiating HPV vaccination as early as age 9 | American Academy of Pediatrics</a></li>
</ul>
</div> | 1/27/2023 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| session-update-public-hearings-on-abortion-access-and-prior-authorization-this-week | Session Update: Public Hearings on Abortion Access and Prior Authorization This Week | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/january-27/session-update-public-hearings-on-abortion-access-and-prior-authorization-this-week | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>January 27, 2023</h5>
<h2>Session Update: Public Hearings on Abortion Access and Prior Authorization This Week </h2>
<p>Proposed bills on two key WSMA legislative priorities - establishing abortion and reproductive care protections and standardizing prior authorization practices - received public hearings this week as state lawmakers closed out week three of the 105-day legislative session.</p>
<h3>Access to abortion care takes center stage</h3>
<p>A number of bills on the subject of access to abortion received hearings on Tuesday, Jan. 24, including:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=8202&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2023">Senate Joint Resolution 8202</a>, which would enshrine legal access to abortion and contraception in the Washington state constitution, was heard in the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee.</li>
<li><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1469&amp;Year=2023&amp;Initiative=false">House Bill 1469</a>, which would establish liability protections for patients and health care professionals from criminal and civil actions based on the provision of abortion care and gender-affirming care services, was heard in the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee.</li>
<li><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1340&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2023">House Bill 1340</a>, which would specify that unprofessional conduct under our state's Uniform Discipline Act does not include the provision of abortion care in a state or for a patient who resides in a state where such services are prohibited for the purpose of Washington state licensure and discipline, was heard in the House Health Care and Wellness Committee. These protections would also extend to gender-affirming care services. HB 1340 is sponsored by Committee Chair Rep. Marcus Riccelli, D-Spokane.</li>
</ul>
<p>WSMA President Katina Rue, DO, attended the hearings testifying on behalf of the WSMA in support of these proposals. Joining Dr. Rue at the HB 1469 hearing was Sarah Prager, MD, who testified in support on behalf of the Washington Section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Also heard on Tuesday were <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5242&amp;Chamber=Senate&amp;Year=2023">Senate Bill 5242</a>, which would prohibit copays, deductibles, and other cost-sharing requirements on abortion services, and <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5489&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2023">Senate Bill 5489</a>, the companion bill to HB 1469 establishing liability protections.</p>
<h3>Prioritizing prior authorization reform</h3>
<p>On Wednesday, WSMA priority legislation <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1357&amp;Year=2023&amp;Initiative=false">House Bill 1357</a> concerning prior authorization was the subject of a public hearing in the House Health Care and Wellness Committee. Sponsored by Rep. Tarra Simmons, D-Bremerton and brought forward by the WSMA, HB 1357 would limit the utilization of prior authorization where codes are approved at exceedingly high rates and standardize requirements across insurance carriers. The WSMA testified in support.</p>
<h3>In previous weeks: Scope of practice and gun violence</h3>
<p>Of particular note, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1041&amp;Year=2023&amp;Initiative=false">House Bill 1041</a>, which would grant prescriptive authority to psychologists under certain circumstances, was heard in the House Health Care and Wellness Committee on Jan. 11. The WSMA testified in opposition as <a href="[@]wsma/advocacy/legislative_regulatory/issue-briefs/scope-of-practice-efforts.aspx">per policy opposing scope efforts by nonphysician practitioners without commensurate training to ensure patient safety</a>. The second week of session saw several high-profile hearings on firearm legislation. The WSMA has a variety of relevant policy and supports legislation to reduce firearm violence, including the proposed assault weapons ban, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1240&amp;Year=2023&amp;Initiative=false">House Bill 1240</a>.</p>
<h3>For more detailed session updates</h3>
<p>For weekly session updates with greater details on bills being debated in Olympia, WSMA members may subscribe to the WSMA Outreach &amp; Advocacy Report by emailing Chelsea Thumberg at <a href="mailto:chelsea@wsma.org">chelsea@wsma.org</a>. </p>
<p>And don't forget: If you are passionate about direct advocacy, come to <a href="[@]wsma/events/legislative_summit/wsma/events/wsma_legislative_summit/Legislative_Summit.aspx?hkey=795731a5-79ba-45b0-b78b-b9dfbfc336e5">Olympia on Feb. 3 for the 2023 WSMA Legislative Summit</a> and join your like-minded colleagues and peers from across the state as we take our advocacy message directly to legislators.</p>
</div> | 1/27/2023 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |