The U.S. Supreme Court recently lifted the injunction against the “public charge” rule. It will take effect on Feb. 24, 2020. The controversial rule would potentially deny legal immigrants green cards or change in their immigration status if they receive government benefits, notably Medicaid. The rule is aimed at discouraging low-income immigrants from using government... Read More >>

This week, two House committees passed legislation that would prohibit balance billing patients for emergency services or care the patient reasonably could have expected to be in-network. However, the bills offer differing approaches for resolving payment disputes. WSHA has strongly advocated a reasonable approach that mirrors our state’s surprise billing law. A Ways and Means... Read More >>

Friday, Feb. 7, marked the cutoff for bills to pass out of their policy committees of origin, while Tuesday, Feb. 11, marked the cutoff for bills to advance from fiscal committees (the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Ways & Means). We are pleased to announce several of our high-priority bills are in good shape as we... Read More >>

On January 31, WSHA submitted comments requesting CMS to withdraw a new rule on Medicaid Fiscal Accountability that could result in Medicaid cuts in Washington to both hospitals and the state. WSHA heard from numerous hospitals that they also submitted requests to withdraw the proposed rule. The proposed rule threatens both the Safety Net Assessment Program as... Read More >>

  We are in week three of the 2020 state legislative session. A main theme of this session is the cost of care and increased transparency. There are several bills under consideration that would impact a variety of players in the health care industry. Specifically, we want hospitals to know that WSHA is working on... Read More >>

  CMS has proposed a new rule on Medicaid Fiscal Accountability that could result in Medicaid cuts in Washington to both hospitals and the state. WSHA is taking it very seriously – it threatens both the Safety Net Assessment Program as well as our state’s use of Intergovernmental Transfers.   Last week, WSHA has sent... Read More >>

  WSHA is looking for a Chief Financial Officer to join its Executive/Senior Leadership team in anticipation of the upcoming retirement of Tom Evert.  For more information about this newly posted opportunity, or other open WSHA positions, please go to our WSHA career center.   If you know someone who has the skills and experience... Read More >>

WSHA’s Government Affairs team has published its January 2020 update to its State Regulatory Issues webpage. Members will find a comprehensive view of state rulemaking activities that affect them. This month, the team is highlighting rulemaking related to certificate of need, behavioral health agencies, clean building standards, Balance Billing protection Act Implementation, and Pharmacy Commission. The... Read More >>

WSHA and the Washington State Medical Association are working with legislators on a bill to address the expansion of and variation in health plan prior authorization criteria. When prior authorization is improperly used, it creates delays to patient care and increases variation and administrative cost, particularly when health plans have different criteria for the same... Read More >>

On January 1, 2020, the state’s Balance Billing Protection Act (BBPA) became effective. Yesterday, WSHA released an updated bulletin that summarizes key provisions of the act and includes links to information and resources that were not available earlier. We recommend appropriate staff at hospitals and physician groups, in conjunction with their legal counsel, familiarize themselves... Read More >>