WSHA leadership recently had the opportunity to participate in a reception and reading with Dr. Damon Tweedy, author of “Black Man in a White Coat.” Dr. Tweedy is a Duke-trained psychiatrist dedicated to health equity, and his book was also the topic of a recent column by Jerry Large in The Seattle Times. He addressed the intersection of race and medicine as a medical student, physician and patient. ... Read More >>
Recent member news from the March 10, 2016 Weekly Report.... Read More >>
For more than half a century, nonprofit Northwest Kidney Centers has worked to improve the lives of people with kidney disease. Besides treating patients at 15 dialysis centers, Northwest Kidney Centers helps 300 people give themselves dialysis at home. The organization also holds contracts to provide dialysis in nine local hospitals.... Read More >>
About 20 million adults have gained health coverage under the Affordable Care Act, according to a new report by the Department of Health and Human Services. The estimate includes 17.7 million adults under age 65 who gained coverage since October 2013, when the ACA’s Health Insurance Marketplaces opened, and 2.3 million adults who gained coverage under a provision allowing young adults to stay on a parent’s health plan until age 26.... Read More >>
Snoqualmie Valley Hospital COO Tom Parker has been named the hospital’s interim CEO. Tom has been the hospital’s COO since 2010, and he previously served as vice president of business development for Overlake Hospital Medical Center as well as administrator for Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center in Oregon. ... Read More >>
The Health Care Authority (HCA) is planning significant changes to Apple Health enrollment. Under a new policy effective April 1, 2016, enrollees will be retroactively assigned to a managed care plan as of the beginning of the month the patient is enrolled, rather than at the beginning of the month following enrollment. HCA will be hosting a webinar on March 17, from 2:00- 3:00 p.m. to provide information regarding the changes and answer questions.... Read More >>
Friday was the cutoff for most bills to be considered in the opposite house, and we are now heading into the final stretch of this year’s short legislative session. We are happy to report that many of the significant bills WSHA supports made it through both the House and Senate, and are now headed to the governor for his action. Several other bills WSHA supports are awaiting concurrence between the House and Senate.... Read More >>
PeaceHealth United General Medical Center is growing its oncology services, offering a broader array of specialty treatment closer to home for those in the Sedro-Woolley community. The medical center’s North Puget Cancer Center (NPCC) offers stereotactic therapy — precise targeting of fewer high dose treatments that traditional therapy — for lung, liver and adrenal tumors, as well as respiratory gated therapy, which enables physicians to treat moving targets and avoid interfering with the heart when treating patients suffering from left-sided breast cancer.... Read More >>
The Washington Health Benefit Exchange board unanimously voted last week to permanently appoint Pam MacEwan as the new chief executive officer, effective immediately. She has served as interim CEO since... Read More >>
As the warmth of spring returns and the snow begins to melt away, it’s time for us to get ready for the WSHA & AWPHD 40th Annual Rural Hospital Leadership Conference in Chelan June 26-29!... Read More >>
