Along with the Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts, health plans, the Service Employees International Union and other organizations, WSHA recently filed an amicus brief in the case Fortgang v. Woodland Park Zoological Society, as the case — being heard by the state Supreme Court — threatens to expand the state’s public records act to include private entities receiving state funding.
The public records act is a state law requiring public agencies to respond to all requests for records, designate a public records officer and make determinations about what records may be exempt from public disclosure. WSHA is particularly concerned about how this could affect private hospitals that care for large numbers of Medicaid patients. WSHA sent a notice to members’ legal counsels, and we hope that a unified front will capture the attention of the justices. Click here to read the brief. (Taya Briley)
