WSHA has filed a comment opposing the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS’s) proposed rule “Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds.” The rule would use an immigrant’s receipt of Medicaid and possibly the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) — among other public services — to deny them status in this country on the basis that they are a “public charge.”... Read More >>

Wipfli CPAs & Consultants’ health care practice serves a wide array of health care organizations nationwide, including hospitals, health systems and senior living providers. ... Read More >>

The Washington Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) has extended the deadline for commenting on the revised draft rule regarding overtime exemption rules to Dec. 31. We urge members to review WSHA’s bulletin on the revised draft, and to let us know if your hospital is impacted and to what extent. ... Read More >>

Significant portions of Washington’s new nurse staffing law (HB 1714) take effect on Jan. 1, 2019. As required by law, hospitals need to submit their nurse staffing plans to the Department of Health (DOH) by Jan. 1. ... Read More >>

Providence Centralia Hospital hired Kevin Caserta as the new Site Administrator. Welcome Kevin!... Read More >>

Recent member news from the December 14, 2018, Weekly Report. ... Read More >>

This week, I invite you to join me in recognizing one of the most effective, yet often overlooked, methods of preventing the spread of germs – handwashing. National Handwashing Awareness Week (Dec. 2 – 8) is a good time to revisit handwashing and how it can impact Washington patients and staff.... Read More >>

Astria Health has teamed up with the Magic of Storytelling Campaign to deliver books to Yakima Valley schools. Earlier this fall, Astria Health donated 500 books to Roosevelt Elementary School. This was the third time Astria Health has worked to encourage reading in children – in total, the hospital system has delivered 1,500 books to Yakima Valley Schools. ... Read More >>

The American Hospital Association (AHA) and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) filed a lawsuit together on Dec. 4 against the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The lawsuit is in response to CMS’s finalization of its outpatient hospital payment rule to apply to site-neutral cuts to office visit services at grandfathered off-campus hospital-based clinic locations.... Read More >>

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH), in collaboration with WSHA, would like to offer hospitals a reminder regarding best practices and points of contact during challenges connected to a disaster or medical surge event. DOH is prepared to offer hospitals assistance regarding capacity and regulatory issues if such an event occurs.... Read More >>