The purpose of this bulletin is to inform hospitals about legislative changes made during the 2021 session to the Washington State Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program.... Read More >>
This bulletin informs hospitals of two recent developments related to behavioral health services: 1. The Department of Health (DOH) final rules for Behavioral Health Agencies (including hospitals) go into effect on July 1, 2021, but DOH is planning a 6-month grace period to allow BHAs time to implement the changes. Surveyors will not issue citations for noncompliance until January 1, 2022. 2. A DOH interpretive statement for release of voluntary patients from inpatient behavioral health settings. ... Read More >>
In response to stakeholder feedback, the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) issued a proposal to change its professional licensure renewal cycle from one year to two years... Read More >>
Today, President Biden will sign the federal legislation commemorating Juneteenth as a national holiday. ... Read More >>
June 30 is the deadline for most health care professionals who provide telehealth services to complete Washington State’s mandatory telehealth training. Telehealth practitioners can enroll online to complete the free training.... Read More >>
In 2020, the Washington State Legislature passed legislation to modernize the state’s physician assistant (PA) laws.... Read More >>
The Washington State Hospital Association is celebrating the United States Supreme Court’s rejection today of the third major challenge to the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA).... Read More >>
This bulletin is to inform hospitals and health systems about Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB) 1109, which provides additional rights to survivors of sexual assault when they present at a hospital seeking services. The rights of survivors of sexual assault are expanded to include: 1. The right to receive written notice about eligibility for benefits under the Crime Victim’s Compensation Fund, and 2. The right to receive a referral to an accredited community sexual assault program for survivors who are adults or connection to services in accordance with the county child sexual abuse investigation protocol, in the case of a survivor who is a minor. ... Read More >>
This bulletin is to inform acute care hospitals about House Bill 1148, which increases the Washington State Department of Health’s (DOH) oversight and enforcement abilities of acute care hospitals. This is the continuation of the legislature’s efforts to increase DOH oversight and enforcement abilities over health care facilities.... Read More >>
The purpose of this bulletin is to inform hospitals and health systems of new requirements in Senate Bill 5027 regarding activation of closed captioning settings on televisions located in public places of accommodation. The new requirements are effective July 25, 2021. Enforcement and potential penalties for noncompliance begin 90 days from the effective date.... Read More >>
