The purpose of this bulletin is to provide an overview of recent changes to Washington State’s data breach notification law relevant to Washington State hospitals and health systems. The Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) worked closely with the state Attorney General’s Office to develop important exceptions in the new law for entities covered under federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) when they are acting in compliance with the federal Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH).... Read More >>

The purpose of the bulletin is to inform hospitals about the new federal law Public Law 114-42, The NOTICE Act (H.R.876), that requires hospitals to provide oral and written notification to Medicare patients placed into observation status for longer than 24 hours. Also to let hospitals know of WSHA's plans to provide opportunities for WSHA-member hospitals to share and communicate best practices and prepare for the new law.... Read More >>

The purpose of this bulletin is to inform you of newly available capital grants to remodel or build a psychiatric unit or facility to serve involuntarily detained mental health patients. WSHA successfully lobbied the Washington State Legislature to allocate at least $5.5 million dollars in a competitive pool for hospitals and other organizations to build new psychiatric treatment capacity. We have reason to believe the overall competitive pool amount may be increased. The Washington State Department of Commerce will administer the grants.... Read More >>

The purpose of this bulletin is to inform you about the Dr. Robert Bree Collaborative Collaborative's draft report on heart surgery and the companion warranty, and encourage you to comment on the reports (via the Collaborative’s online survey here.... Read More >>

This bulletin is intended to inform hospital Finance and Quality leaders about the Washington State Hospital Association’s (WSHA’s) resources available around the new proposal from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on bundled payment for hip and knee replacements, known as Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CCJR). The resources include data, a web conference, and staff to help answer questions.... Read More >>

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide you with information about a new law, Senate Bill 5269, known as Joel’s Law, that allows family members and legal guardians to petition the court to review an involuntary detention decision under the Involuntary Treatment Act. The Washington State Hospital Association would like to thank Eric Neiman, Attorney, Portland Managing Partner of Lewis, Brisbois, Bisgaard & Smith for contributing to this bulletin.... Read More >>

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 >>

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 >>

The purpose of this bulletin is to highlight potential implications for Washington State of the U.S. Supreme Court’s upcoming decision in King v. Burwell. The key question in King v. Burwell is whether subsidies (tax credits and cost-sharing) will continue to be available for people who purchase health insurance through a marketplace created by the federal government. Most news coverage of King v. Burwell focuses on the impact for states with federally-run health exchanges. Washington State operates a state-run exchange, but the case could have consequences nationally which impact our state.... Read More >>

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide an overview of new requirements to perform Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD) screenings for all newborns born in the state. The Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) supported the change in requirements because the health of newborns is important. We believe all hospitals are currently performing these screens.... Read More >>