News

This bulletin is intended to inform you of opportunities to provide public comment on the state’s work with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to seek a global waiver for the transformation of Medicaid. The state is seeking $3 billion in federal funds to support transformation. The state plans to submit its application to CMS in September 2015. WSHA and AWPHD want your comments and feedback on our draft letter to the state.... Read More >>

Hospitals have always been community-based organizations. They are governed and advised by boards of local residents, and they employ dozens and sometimes hundreds of people who are committed to caring and healing... Read More >>

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently clarified rural status, location and distance requirements for critical access hospitals (CAHs). Importantly, the recently released memo (S&C 15-45-CAH) clarifies existing... Read More >>

Patient safety and quality are primary fiduciary responsibilities for governing boards. WSHA and AWPHD jointly began a series of “Fundamentals” webcasts for members of hospital and health system boards and commissions on a variety of topics. The first in the series took place on Monday, July 20 on the topic: “Fundamentals of Patient Safety."... Read More >>

The Washington Health Care Authority (HCA) is now accepting applications for Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments for 2016. The deadline for applications is August 1 for the Low Income and Small... Read More >>

So now that the legislature has adjourned, how was it? It was certainly the longest session ever– that’s a quantifiable truth. There were some incredibly tense weeks in June for lawmakers,... Read More >>

2015 was a particularly challenging year in the Washington State Legislature, but now that it’s over, it’s time to review what happened on WSHA’s major initiatives. This webcast reviewed the outcomes of the session, including the hospital safety net assessment, mental health funding, pharmacy issues, physician residencies and more.... Read More >>

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide an overview of new requirements to the medical lien law. Please share with your financial assistance staff as appropriate. A new law (HB 1053) on medical liens was enacted this session. The law creates new requirements to provide notice of the use of medical liens and to remove liens following payment. This provision applies to all Washington state hospitals that use medical liens. The law goes into effect on July 24, 2015.... Read More >>

SEATTLE, Wash. — The Washington State Supreme Court today unanimously invalidated the state Department of Health’s expanded Certificate of Need rule, which would have significantly increased the number and type of hospital... Read More >>

When we have a family member who is sick or hurt, all of us know the feeling of being desperate to know what’s wrong. We feel helpless and scared, and... Read More >>