WSHA is providing advance notice that the state Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) will release a revised version of the overtime employment rules that affect executive, administrative and professional (EAP) workers in Washington State by the end of November. L&I has scheduled three feedback sessions to obtain stakeholder input on the second pre-proposal draft rules. They will be held between November 27 and 29.... Read More >>

This week WSHA sent a bulletin regarding hospitals’ obligation to provide notice of all statutorily available treatment options for adolescents under the Parent-Initiated Treatment (PIT) pathway. The pathway refers to when parents/guardians bring a minor between the ages 13 and 18 in for mental health or substance use disorder (SUD) evaluation or treatment without the minor’s consent.... Read More >>

The 2018 midterm elections have now passed, changing the federal political landscape for health care. In Congress, the House of Representatives has shifted to Democratic control, though Republicans expanded their majority in the Senate. At the state level, Democrats appear to be expanding their majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.... Read More >>

As part of its rulemaking on hospital construction review standards, the Department of Health (DOH) is currently seeking comments on specific proposed changes based on relevant national standards contained in the 2018 Facility Guideline Institute (FGI) Guidelines. Comments are due November 21.... Read More >>

WSHA’s Government Affairs team has re-launched its State Regulatory Issues webpage, which provides members a comprehensive view of state rulemaking activities that affect them. The webpage includes a link to WSHA’s Top Priority State Rules Tracker, which shows the highest-priority rulemaking activities impacting hospitals and health systems.... Read More >>

WSHA recently responded to a request for comment on pre-draft proposed rules by the state Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) that would expand the class of workers who qualify for overtime pay. Among other changes, the proposed changes would lower the number of Executive, Administrative and Professional (EAP) workers who are currently exempt from overtime pay laws by raising the minimum salary thresholds for these roles, which also include outside sales and computer professionals.... Read More >>

The 340B program provides vital funding for community health programs and helps the uninsured access medications. A few seats remain for 340B Education Day on November 13 at WSHA’s offices in Seattle.... Read More >>

Seattle — Olympic Medical Center CEO Eric Lewis has been elected Board Chair of the Washington State Hospital Association. As chair, Lewis will preside over the Board of Trustees and help lead the hospital association’s work for the coming year. “Eric has been involved as a leader with WSHA in numerous capacities, and we are... Read More >>

WSHA has partnered with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to offer the AHRQ Safety Program for Intensive Care Units: Preventing CLABSI and CAUTI. WSHA is recruiting participants for the program’s next cohort. ... Read More >>

A public/private safe prescribing initiative launched in late 2017, called Better Prescribing, Better Treatment, has resulted in significant reductions in Apple Health (Medicaid) opioid prescriptions in less than a year, initiative partners announced today. The partners, the Washington State Medical Association (WSMA), the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) and the Washington State Health Care Authority... Read More >>