The Senate Republican leadership announced on Tuesday that they will release a new draft of the Better Care Reconciliation Act.... Read More >>

I’m an organ donor, and while nobody wants to think about passing away and leaving their family behind, I know that as a donor my organs can save or improve the lives of many people. I have personal experience of this. My best friend’s daughter, born the same month as my eldest son, needed a liver transplant due to a genetic issue.... Read More >>

The Department of Homeland Security released on July 7 an initial update on efforts to strengthen the cybersecurity of federal networks and critical infrastructure, including hospitals and health systems, as required by the president’s May executive order. With respect to critical infrastructure, the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration is accepting stakeholder comments through July 28 on actions that could be taken to address the threat of automated attacks, such as botnets.... Read More >>

The purpose of this bulletin is to make hospitals aware of financial reporting requirements now tied to the Medicaid Quality Incentive Program (MQIP).... Read More >>

The purpose of this bulletin is to inform you about 2017 legislative changes to nurse staffing committee requirements and provide resources to help ensure compliance and success under the new law.... Read More >>

The legislature today released a $43 billion operating budget for the 2017-2019 biennium. If approved before midnight — as is expected — they will have avoided a partial state government shutdown by mere hours. WSHA is very pleased with the results for health care overall, and particularly applauds the legislature's additional funding of and important reforms to the state's mental health system.... Read More >>

While we have heard the legislature reached a preliminary budget deal, there is no additional information. We will be out with Inside Olympia when the budget details are released. The next step will be for the legislature to vote on the final budget.  We expect the legislature to meet the June 30 deadline.... Read More >>

The Washington State Hospital Association is disappointed with the Senate Republican’s attempt to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) – called the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017. The bill contains modified versions of many of the provisions from the House’s American Health Care Act (AHCA) and will result in dramatically fewer Washingtonians having access to health care. Our initial reaction is that this bill is worse for our state’s Medicaid program and hospitals and health systems than the House’s version of the bill. ... Read More >>

The Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) strongly criticized the Senate’s health care reform bill, released today.... Read More >>

Commissioner Mike Kreidler announced June 19 that Premera will offer health plans in Grays Harbor County. Klickitat County remains without any individual insurance options. Commissioner Kreidler and his staff are engaged in negotiations to see if a willing insurer can be found. Five counties (Ferry, Grays Harbor, Pend Oreille, Skagit and Skamania) will have only one insurer in 2018. Clallam and Wahkiakum counties will have two insurers, but through the same parent company.... Read More >>