Recent member news from the June 9, 2016 Weekly Report.... Read More >>

Many hospitals are struggling with patients who have completed their acute hospital stay, but for whom post-hospital placement cannot be found. Based on member concerns, a new goal has been added to the WSHA strategic plan: Exploring policy options and process changes to speed up discharge for patients waiting for placement in long-term care facilities.... Read More >>

Tom Parker, the chief operating officer of Snoqualmie Valley Hospital, has been appointed to the position of permanent chief executive officer. The hospital board unanimously approved the appointment on June 2. Tom has served as interim CEO since March, and he will continue to serve as COO.... Read More >>

The House of Representatives this week approved by voice vote legislation that would extend the time hospitals have to qualify to be grandfathered into the existing payment system for services provided in off-campus, provider-based clinics. Washington Rep. Jim McDermott, who serves as the senior Democrat on the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, was the bill’s Democratic sponsor. ... Read More >>

To help reduce hospital readmissions for patients at high risk of being readmitted, PMH Medical Center in Prosser launched a program that sends its ambulance service to patients’ homes to follow-up and address any issues patients have dealt with, spanning anything from surgery recovery to diabetes management. ... Read More >>

Panel Clears Hospital Bill: The House Ways and Means Committee has approved legislation that would extend the time hospitals have to qualify to be grandfathered into the existing payment system for services provided in off-campus, provider-based clinics. Washington Rep. Jim McDermott was the lead Democratic sponsor of the measure. WSHA supported the bill.... Read More >>

Hospital leaders across the state are committed to doing our part to stop the opioid abuse epidemic. We are very excited about a new state law that expands access to the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP).... Read More >>

An estimated 15.5 million fewer U.S. adults were uninsured in March 2016 than September 2013, shortly before the Health Insurance Marketplaces opened for enrollment, according to the Urban Institute's latest Health Reform Monitoring Survey. The proportion of uninsured non-elderly adults declined 7.7 percentage points over the period, to 9.9 percent, the survey estimates.... Read More >>

With the 40th Annual Rural Hospital Leadership Conference in Chelan June 26-29 now just a few weeks away, you can prepare for the conference by downloading the new WSHA and AWPHD event app! You can access the WSHA app through a computer or mobile device.... Read More >>

As an increasing number of health care providers retire, many communities are preparing themselves for a time in which there is a shortage of physicians. Harrison Medical Center has gone through the designation process and become a teaching hospital, which is the first step toward creating a residency program to train new doctors.... Read More >>